Consider Him

Recently in my scripture reading I came across two small words..."Consider him". Hebrews 12:2 & 3(NIV) says, "Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider Him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart" (bold added). When I read those words I immediately began recalling all He has done in my life; especially since the beginning of this year. Since January (2009) He has dealt with three major issues in my life. First he dealt with my finances as my wife and I began to make some changes in the way we have done things in the past. With that then came faith. He began to open my eyes to the idea of truly trusting Him in all things and leaning upon the promises He has given. That then led into dealing with the various fears of my life. Today, as a result of what He has been doing I am beginning to see how big our God is, how wonderful His love is for us and how truly amazing He is in everything. It excites me to think of it, to consider Him and all that He does and has done.

One of my new favorite worship songs is "How He Loves Us" written by John Mark McMillian. The words to the song grip me and entice me to dive into the deep waters of His love and personality. The chorus, though very simple in its wording, says it all, "Yeah, He loves us, Oh how He loves us, Oh how He loves us, Oh how He Loves". Think about it. The God of the universe, who made the stars and every living creature, the God who has everything and can do anything somehow for some reason loves us. To prove it He sacrificed His own Son so that we would not die and spend eternity separated from Him. To prove it He puts up with our inconsistent hearts day in and day out through grace and mercy. Oh yes, He will judge us and we will be held accountable for our lives but He loves us and gives us every opportunity to turn to Him, to be rescued, to dwell in His presence, to experience all that He is and has, to spend enternity with Him.

It takes time to consider Him. It is not something you can do quickly or nonchalantly. He is too massive, powerful, all encompassing to do so. God is great. He is amazing. But these are human words that cannot truly capture Him. To truly consider Him one must go beyond their words, their simple mortal expressions of who their mind says He is. One must take time, away from all distraction, to think upon Him, to meditate on His ways and His activity in their life. When done so it will put a smile on the face and a supernatural glow within the heart.

When we read His word and understand what it is telling us, all we can do is consider Him, His ways, His truths, His glory. Think. Search. Contemplate. He loves us! He died for us. Nothing can thwart His plans. No one is more powerful. What can come against Him? He provides. He protects. He saves. He heals. He disciplines for maturity sake. He loves us!

As I have considered Him a few verses have begun to stick out to me. Consider the truths within these verses and then search the scriptures for more. You will find so much that God wants to speak to you and you won't be able to contain yourself. You will automatically begin to consider Him.

"'For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,' As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts." Isaiah 55:8 & 9(NIV)

"You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world." 1 John 4:4(NIV)

"If God is for us, who can be against us?" Romans 8:31b(NIV)

"Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?...No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8 35, 37 - 39.(NIV)

"Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us," Ephesians 3:20(NIV)

"There is no wisdom, no insight, no plan that can succeed against the LORD...victory rests with the LORD." Proverbs 21: 30 & 32(NIV)

"'...Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.' So we say with confidence, 'The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?'" Hebrews 13:5 & 6(NIV)

"His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Through these he has given us the very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires." 2 Peter 1:3 & 4(NIV)

CONSIDER HIM!

Be blessed today.