Wednesday, November 12, 2014

Love Notes


Based on Ezekiel 15:1-16:33, Psalm 123:1-4, Hebrews 8:1-13.

We are degenerate, LORD, this nation once Yours has not just hidden Your Light under a bushel; it tries to extinguish the Light with wrong words and deeds, such as killing our sons and daughters and calling it "women's reproductive rights." Woe! Woe to us! We have slain Your children and we continue to do so frequently. "How degenerate is your heart," You say to us, LORD, You who once called us "Mine." You, who washed us in water, yes thoroughly washed off our blood and anointed us with oil and clothed us and gave us sandals and adorned us with gold and silver. We were exceedingly beautiful in Your care, and we succeeded to royalty. Our fame went out among the nations, for were perfect through Your Splendor which You had bestowed on us.

But we trusted in our own hearts, LORD, and we  played the harlot, even following others to walk in their wicked ways, becoming even more corrupt than they. We and the others have pride now, and fullness of food, and abundant idelness. We do not strengthen either the needy or the poor with Your provision. Instead, we are haughty in committing abominations before You, calling evil "good" and good "evil." Therefore, You will take us away as You see fit. For thus You say, LORD, "I will deal with you as you have done, who despised the oath by breaking the covenant.... you shall know that I AM the LORD... that you may remember and be ashamed when I provide you an atonement for all you have done..."

Have mercy on us, LORD, have mercy on us! For we are filled with with the contempt of the proud -- exceedingly filled. May our eyes look to You, LORD, the Minister of the sanctuary and of the true tabernacle which You erected, and not man. Put Your laws in our minds and write  them on our hearts, and anoint us to be again Your people. 

Glory to Christ, O Savior and LORD, for obtaining a more excellent ministry, a better covenant established on better promises. Thank You for making the first covenant obsolete, growing old, ready to vanish away. Thank You for imparting Your Spirit and for revealing to us that You are our Mediator and Advocate before the Father. Have mercy on us, LORD, have mercy on us! As the eyes of servants look to their masters, so our eyes look to You as address this degenerate nation and the entire world.

This photograph is by Liz Burnell.



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