Devotionals

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CHOSEN—BY JEHOVAH!

The bleeding began on a day now ancient...in a Garden...long lost. Two lives, stripped of all pretense of righteousness, stood in their naked shame before Love’s Holiness. Their every attempt at covering proved futile. And, having once dwelt united with Holiness, now in abject hopelessness they fearfully awaited His verdict.

Love’s Holy hand moved...expertly...and earth drank its first taste of Redemption’s bloody wine. Even as the stain spread on the ground before them, and they began knowing the touch of Forgiveness’ first garment, neither recipient of Grace’s covering felt Love’s own heart quake. Nor were they aware of Heaven’s Son, looking down on this first blood-letting, knowing its Promise for Him.

From that moment, throughout the beloved’s story, Holy Grace flowed faithfully beside His chosen love. Through blissful days of communion, righteousness shone forth. But always there stood a shadow between the promise and the hope yet realized. The call to righteousness...to holiness…brought the need for many more coverings. And heart-to-heart the Father and the Son looked on...knowing...knowing and feeling...all that yet awaited.
Then Mount Moriah called. And two beckoned fathers stood beside two sons. The anguish of the first felt fully by the Second. But God’s friend proved faithful– reaching out to Righteousness True. A bound son looked in the agonized, yet hopeful, eyes of his father and understood. A dagger's blade rose, poised at the peak of obedience, reflecting heaven’s light. With that reflection, a Voice declared... Reprieve...revealing a sacrificial ram caught in a thicket.

As earth-bound father and son clung to each other, rejoicing in Love’s provision, a Father and Son looked on, joined in the bittersweet promise of Their Own heart-wrenching pain yet to come. Mount Moriah would call again. This time there would be no reprieve. This time Redemption’s bloody wine would flow...unstopped...one final time...from a Son’s body fully broken...broken in obedience...obedience to a nail-scarred cross.

Heaven would weep. And the tears from a Father’s broken heart, mingled with a Son’s willing sacrifice, at last wove a costly garment of forgiveness...a garment that would endure. (Genesis 3—Genesis 22—Isaiah 53—Luke 23—John 19—Hebrews 11:17-19) [ DLB ]

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JOURNALING WITH GOD

A brutal price was paid for forgiveness. As you meditate on I Corinthians 5:21 and Isaiah 53:2-11, record every aspect of its costliness. Note, in each instance, who paid the cost?

Reflect on Mount Moriah (Chosen by Johovah). In what ways does its very name speak the truth of God and all that forgiveness entails?

Your Mount Moriah stands before you. How will you respond to its claim on your life today? Write specifically of these things with Jehovah—Almighty God.

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