Essay by Dan
It was my observation — there was a young woman named Ruth; she left the land of Moab and traveled to the land of Israel because she trusted God. Boaz, a wealthy man in Israel said to her — “May the Lord repay you for what you have done. May you be richly rewarded by the Lord, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge” (Ruth 2:12). You may recall from Psalm 91:4 our journey is described as being “covered with His feathers” and “under His wings you will find refuge.” Deuteronomy 32:11 describes the protective wings as eagle wings. What a picture of God’s shelter.
Sometimes we are under the wings, sometimes we are on eagle wings. When God leads the Hebrews out of Egyptian darkness into the promised land, we find it described as an airlift, by eagles’ wings. God says to the Hebrews in Exodus – “You yourselves have seen what I did to Egypt, and how I carried you on eagles’ wings and brought you to myself. Now if you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all nations you will be my treasured possession. Although the whole earth is mine, you will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation. These are the words you are to speak to the Israelites.” (Exodus 19:4-7). Moses went back and summoned the elders of the people and told them what God said. The Hebrews responded, “We will do everything the Lord has said.” Moses brought their answer back to the Lord. (Paraphrased from Exodus 19:8).
For a moment, consider using two utterly separate modes of travel through our life. Consider the difference between a rowboat and an aircraft. You cannot travel with one foot in a rowboat and the other foot in an aircraft — it is impossible. Yet today, as a matter of faith, people are trying to live by a blend of law and grace. I am not saying you are, but if you are not clear about the nature of your walk with God, accidentally trying to live by your good works, may I suggest to you there is a better way – an easier way that is much less stressful. There is a way that takes us to the ‘eagle wing’ and places us in the center of the one true living God’s world.
J Vernon Magee tells us – “The Law demands; grace gives. The Law extracts; grace bestows. The Law says do; grace says believe. The Law says work; grace says trust. The Law growls, pronouncing trouble; grace invites, announcing a respite. The Law decries all of us; grace pulls us into safety. The Law reveals the sovereignty of God then grace reaches out in power lifting man up on eagle wings.
Paul says – The things Moses and the prophets witnessed all those years has happened. The God-setting-things-right that we read about has become Jesus-setting-things-right for us. And not only for us, but for everyone who believes in him. For there is no difference between us and them in this. Since we have compiled this long and sorry record as sinners (both us and them) and proved that we are utterly incapable of living the glorious lives God wills for us, God did it for us. Out of sheer generosity he put us in right standing with himself. A pure gift. He got us out of the mess we were in and restored us to where he always wanted us to be. And he did it by Jesus Christ. (implied Romans 3:21-24 MSG)
Paul continues – God sacrificed Jesus on the altar of the world to clear that world of sin. Having faith in his resurrection places us in the clear. God decided on this course of action in full view of the public—to set the world in the clear with himself through the sacrifice and resurrection of Jesus, finally taking care of the sins he had so patiently endured. This is not only clear, but it is now—this is current history! God sets things as they belong. He makes it possible to live in his way. (implied Romans 3:25-26 MSG).
It is by His mercy, it is by eagles’ wings, it is by His grace. Embrace it! Let Easter happen to you.
I choose Jesus.
Shalom Talk 