The Breach

My parents may not remember this but, for me, it is a vivid childhood memory.  We traveled to the North Georgia mountains to visit some relatives who lived high in the hills, and off the beaten path.  We came to a small stream and there was no bridge.  I’m not sure what I thought at the moment, but I assumed we’d come to an impasse – that we would turn around.  We did not!  Without much ado, Dad just plowed right ahead, driving through the shallow waters.  Goodness gracious, what an adventure that was!

 

What a powerful statement: “The access we have to the throne of grace, and the freedom of speech allowed us, are just matter of humble wonder.” (Matthew Henry).  Perhaps my prayers to Almighty God are more arrogant than humble, resembling more of an official request rather than a lowly plea.  Abraham was one [of many] who stood before God – Righteous Judge of all the earth – pleading God’s favor on both righteous and unrighteous.  Have you listened to conversations lately – topics about hatred and violence of man against man?  I’ve heard them, even been part of them, and something is amiss!  As Abraham stood before the Lord, pleading God’s mercy upon the wicked city of Sodom, we see the attitude of Abraham’s heart:  “Behold, I have undertaken to speak to the Lord, I who am but dust and ashes.” (Genesis 18:27).  No doubt, what is happening all around us is tragic and we can spend hours of debate on how to “fix” things, but it is God Who judges righteously – not man.  Beside living peaceably with our fellow men (Romans 12:18), the greatest need today is that Christians stand humbly before God.  Isaiah groaned there was no one “who calls on Your Name, Who arouses himself to take hold of You; for You have hidden Your face from us and have delivered us into the power of our iniquities.” (Isaiah 64:7).  Oh, if our conversations were instead pleas to God – honest and humble to the only True and Righteous Judge – the One Who can heal and restore men’s hearts.  The breach between God and man need not be a chasm of helplessness because we have a High Priest Who  is able to “sympathize with our weaknesses … Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of Grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” (Hebrews 4:15-16).  The absence of a bridge seemed a problem for me – Dad saw it differently.  As we converse about current events, let us not neglect to pray for our world, our nation, our communities, and the hearts of men.  Let our prayers to Jehovah God bridge the breach.