”Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me. To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne. “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” (Revelation 3:20-22)“Who loves you?” As a mother of a young boy, I often asked my son, “who loves you?” I wanted over and over to express to him by word and deed that I loved him. It became a fun game at times as each of us stated, “I love you” to the echo of the other saying, “No, I love you more.”
When discipline was needed, love was expressed, it wrapped the words of correction. I learned that from my dad.
The Bibles speaks of Love covering a multitude of sin. “Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.” (1 Peter 4:8)
In the Book of Revelation, we see a picture of 7 churches being addressed by God. To the church of Laodicea, we hear the words, “Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent. Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.” (Rev. 3:19-20)
Here is God inviting us to repent, to make things right with Him. He even provides a table for us to sit and eat with him. He extends forgiveness for our error and wholeness for our brokenness. The Creator of everything is inviting us. Can you hear him? “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” (Rev. 3:22)
Yesterday while I was at church I had the privilege of holding my friend’s daughter on my lap. As I held her I noticed that she seemed to be losing her vibrant energy. As I rocked her back and forth her little head leaned in on my chest and she fell asleep. How precious the trust and confidence that she would be safe in my arms.
God says he will do the same for us. He invites us to a place of security and rest with Him. When I read, “To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I was victorious and sat down with my Father on his throne.” (Rev. 3:21) this is God’s invitation for me to sit and rest with him.
His arms are a place of security and a reassurance that we have been accepted. The invitation said, that he rebukes those he loves. He does it in his great love! He warns and directs. He invites us to enter in where he is. This is God asking me to rest in his arms! The call is to me.
When life has diluted our vibrancy and our energies have been zapped by life’s circumstances or by our own rebellion against God, he reminds us that we can repent and rest in him.
When I engage with God he renews me; my body, soul and spirit. I can hear my heart speak to him saying, “I love you Lord.” to which He responds, “but I love you more.” And, indeed God does!
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16)
Therefore, rest and lean into the heart of God. It’s a safe place. Repent, recline and rest, you are in the arms of Jesus!
God bless you!~Liz
