Word of the Day
Beloved, before you ever were—before Adam ever was—it was understood—it was known that I would be made like you in every respect—made like you having flesh and bone— made like you in order that I might be a merciful, faithful and sympathetic High Priest (Hebrews 2:17). It was imperative for Me to live as you live, to suffer, to die to self and in the physical, in order to make complete atonement and propitiation for your sins (Hebrews 2:18). How else would I have been able to understand the pain and suffering of your life . . . the power of physical death to separate you from the One who loves you so?
I was tempted, tested and tried for you. Don’t you know, because of this, I am able to immediately run to you, able to assist and relieve you in the midst of any temptation or testing (Hebrews 2:18)? I went to great lengths such as has never been done before on the behalf of any man. I daily disciplined Myself to obedience and humility so you can overcome. I inclined My ear to the Father, making way for you to hear as I hear . . . to be as I am.
It is time to quit looking with such an introspective heart. When you do there will always be something the enemy is more than willing to point out to bring discouragement to your heart. The enemy wants to take your eyes off Me, the author and finisher of your faith—to invalidate all I have done and induce your heart with a fear capable of keeping you at arm’s length from Me. Let Me be the one who instructs you without the threat of guilt or shame.
One of the enemy’s greatest delights is for you to focus on your failures; to the point guilt and shame have power over you. He does this in order to make you fear coming to Me. How he tries to convince you to be introspective to the point of wallowing in destructive thoughts. There is only one antidote to this aggressive tactic of his: beholding Me.
Let My love cover your sin and set your heart free. When Holy Spirit makes you aware of some unprofitable or ungodly thing in your heart, deliverance and freedom always accompany the revelation. Guilt and shame are never used by Me—only tenderhearted conviction moving hand in hand with a cleansing forgiveness and restoration.
Turn your eyes, look into My gaze and you will cease to look inward. Beloved, My finger is on your chin and I am lifting your head, adjusting your countenance and enabling you to look at Me. Open your heart and see.
So it is evident that it was essential that He be made like His brethren in every respect, in order that He might become a merciful (sympathetic) and faithful High Priest in the things related to God, to make atonement and propitiation for the people’s sins. For because He Himself [in His humanity] has suffered in being tempted (tested and tried), He is able [immediately] to run to the cry of (assist, relieve) those who are being tempted and tested and tried [and who therefore are being exposed to suffering]. (Hebrews 2:17-18 Amplified)
Prayer
Lord, You have done so very much for me, more than I can ever imagine or dream. You understand every pain and suffering, whether they be physical, emotional or spiritual. Having been separated from Your father in those tormenting moments on the Cross, when the weight of all sin was upon You, enables You to understand when I feel far from You. You know the longings of my heart and understand every struggle and temptation I am faced with. Teach me to cry out Your name with the anticipation that You will come running to me immediately without reserve.
I break agreement with the spirits of fear, guilt, shame and condemnation brought by the enemy of my soul and I embrace forgiveness and restoration. Every trespass or unprofitable thing in my heart is revealed by the tender-hearted conviction of Holy Spirit and I respond with repentance. In repentance I receive cleansing and forgiveness. I receive power to let go of my failures and embrace the truth of Your Word. I turn my eyes away from the lies of the enemy and all past failures to gaze on the beauty of the Lord. In doing this I am changed, transformed into the image of Christ. Amen
Reflect and Journal
1. Reflect on how the Lord knew, understood and had you in mind before the foundations of the world ever were, in relation to making a way for you to overcome and be free in Him.
2. Reflect on the lengths He went to in order to understand and have empathy with you and your sufferings.
3. In what areas are you prone to introspection (naval gazing) and give in to guilt and shame to the point it keeps you at arm’s length from the Lord in certain places of your heart?
4. Ponder the difference between condemnation and conviction. How can you tell the difference in your own life?
5. Take some time to respond to His invitation to gaze on Him for no other reason than He is.