Just as in the days of Ezekiel and throughout history. It always was You, Lord pursuing our hearts.
Many will try to say, no all-powerful God could stand by while all the evil we see destroys this world. Yet, I am here to say, His patience in the face of evil is what so demonstrates His pursuing love of humanity. You or I would have quickly cast aside and destroyed everything. Or never created any of it. No pain, but He loved us too much. Think of this! Perfect righteousness and justice has quietly, patiently pursued all of humanity despite their laughing at Him, mocking Him and spitting Him in the face. Oh there were times when evil grew so great, that judgement must come to save the remnant. For it would take a remnant of believers to lead to His greatest gift, Jesus Christ. Only through Jesus’s willing sacrifice could salvation be bought for all who would believe.
God’s full essence came to dwell with us so He might be the sacrifice for my sin and for yours. He has pursued me with an everlasting love since before I was ever born. He is that missing piece that every heart searches for. Joy everlasting is who He is.
That is what Christmas is all about. God, the Almighty, Perfectly Righteous creator of all the Universe loved you so much that He left the splendor of heaven. He lived a life of laborious work amongst the poor and downtrodden. Betrayed, spit upon, beaten and bruised; He died a shame filled death on the cross to pay the price for my rebellion and yours. Yet, through it all He has pursued each of us with His everlasting love. Wanting to lavish us with His joy, His peace, and His glory; He stands with patient open arms waiting for you to accept this gift today.
Always was You, Lord
It is hard to imagine a love that magnificent, that overwhelming and that powerful to endure everything that He hates to accomplish all that He loves—which is to win the hearts of you and me. Oh, Lord it truly always was you calling my name. Born within our hearts is a desire for eternity and perfect joy; but those are not things found in this world. Part of God’s pursuing love is that. We long for what we cannot find in this world, that we might seek Him. And so, I write for Him this song.
It Always was You
A glimpse and a moment of joy so divine
I wanted to keep it and make it all mine
But it came and it went, like a butterfly’s kiss
Yet, for that brief moment, what wonder and bliss!
Then I searched and I searched to find it again
But what do I do or where to begin?
Maybe a lover, or maybe success
A kiss, a promotion, perhaps a new dress
I could travel the world only to see
That nothing could bring that joy back to me
Not more than a second or two at the most
Though I held on so tight, I had it almost
Yet, there in the darkness when I was alone
My spirit depressed, my heart did bemoan
The plight of this world, why could I not see
Where or where could joy really be
Then into the darkness I saw a shimmer of light
A star piercing through the dark of the night
Grew larger and larger until oh so bright
Joy filled my heart, such wonder, delight
Then to my knees, I slid from my bed
Unable to speak, I bowed low my head
Like a flash in my brain, I suddenly knew
Those moments of joy had always been You
You chased me, pursued me throughout all those years
Though I ran from You, choosing worries and fears
Your love it sustained me, through rivers of tears
To bring me this day full of rapturous cheers
Before the creation, you saw who I was
You loved me in spite of the pain I would cause
I ran from Your love, I thought I was right
Still, you pursued me with all of Your might
So gently you waited until I was done
Pursuing desires and then You had won
My heart and my life, they are fully Yours
Though broken and shattered, Your love-it restores
It always was You, what a fool I have been
While You patiently waited- I chased after sin
But now as I sit and gaze at Your face
Smitten by joy, Your love, and Your grace.
There’s no other place that I’d rather be
Than to sit in Your presence eternally
Safe and secure below Your precious gaze
My heart overflowing with love songs of praise
Psalm 8
O Lord, our Lord,
How excellent is Your name in all the earth,
Who have set Your glory above the heavens!
2 Out of the mouth of babes and nursing infants
You have [b]ordained strength,
Because of Your enemies,
That You may silence the enemy and the avenger.
3 When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers,
The moon and the stars, which You have ordained,
4 What is man that You are mindful of him,
And the son of man that You visit[c] him?
5 For You have made him a little lower than [d]the angels,
And You have crowned him with glory and honor.
6 You have made him to have dominion over the works of Your hands;
You have put all things under his feet,
7 All sheep and oxen—
Even the beasts of the field,
8 The birds of the air,
And the fish of the sea
That pass through the paths of the seas.
9 O Lord, our Lord,
How excellent is Your name in all the earth!
DO YOU KNOW CHRIST AS YOUR SAVIOR AND LORD? He is our only Hope in Life and Death! Our Joy is found in Him.
If you don’t know Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord: I urge you to go to my page titled How to Be Saved by clicking on this link. There is nothing more important than this; because He is the way, the truth and the life. Therefore, I urge you to seek Him today.
For Prayer or Comments
If you have a prayer request feel free to email me by clicking here
Furthermore, if you would like to share your story or thoughts, you can comment here
God’s Glory Revealed in Poetry
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DISCLOSURES
©Effie Darlene Barba, 2021
Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. Furthermore, I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned except for my own books. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.
Credits
Photo licensed through Goodsalt.com