In Awe of the Word of God

I haven't blogged in a while because I've had too many other things that had to be done. I've wanted to often, as I've been reading along with you sisters. I have also read your posts, and love them every time. God often uses you to point out more cool truth to me, although I may not always leave a comment. Anyway, I just had to post today.
I am in awe of the Word of God! Actually I am in awe of the God of the Word, and how He has been revealing Himself to mankind from the beginning of time. I've recently become friends with some people who don't really believe in God because they've been given a wrong perception of who He is. They think He is angry, mean, judgemental, and condemning. Nothing could be farther from the truth. I used to even kinda think that God was a little like that in the Old Testament, but Jesus took God's wrath for us, so God is nicer now. That is also full of error. Jesus did bear the wrath of God in our place, but not because God is mean- but because He is good! As we have been reading the Old Testament, I keep seeing that God is continually reaching out to us and making a way for us to know Him. He has always wanted us to trust Him, worship Him, love Him, and know Him.
We must remember that He is holy and awesome, and we can't approach Him with a prideful, sinful heart. But because of the sacrifice of Jesus, we can approach Him!
In our reading today God gave specific instructions for the clothing and ordaining of the priests. My NLT Bible says God wanted their garments to be glorious and beautiful. Right off the bat, I just love that as a woman. But then I immediately thought of Jesus, and how He is our High Priest who ushers us into the presence of God. Jesus, my sweet Saviour, is so glorious and beautiful! Jesus made a way for us to be forgiven and purified so we could come into His presence, the presence of God, and know Him! Hallelujah! Now He has also set us apart, and made us glorious and beautiful as we reflect Him to the people around us. Wow.
Then we read about the ordination sacrifices. It was very elaborate and serious. God wanted us to know that He is holy, and sin is a serious problem that keeps us from His presence. Still He wanted people to know that He loves them and wants to live among them and be their very own God. That is incredible! Then, with tears in my eyes, my heart wells up with gratitude as I realize that Jesus became the perfect and final sacrifice for the sins of all mankind, so that we could come to know God. Ya'll that was His plan the whole time. I know we've all been taught that before, but it just seems more real to me today. God set up this elaborate way for the Israelites to come to Him with reverence and humility, realizing the seriousness of sin. But He knew the whole time that He was going to make the ultimate sacrifice for our sins Himself!
I am so in awe of God. I have been such a sinner in my lifetime, and I am amazed that Father God sacrificed His own Son, pouring out all of His wrath and fury for my sin on Him, because He wanted to save me. I am amazed that Jesus, knowing all my sin and all the times I'd take Him lightly, willingly laid down His life and suffered a cruel, agonizing, humiliating death, because He wanted to save me. What kind of love is this?! Hallelujah!
Holy Father, Spirit, Jesus, please forgive me for ever doubting Your love for me just because I suffer a little pain. My suffering is usually of my own doing anyway, and I certainly deserve no more than hell. Thank You for forgiving me. Thank You for reminding me that Your love for me is so deep and strong and all-encompassing, that I will never be able to comprehend the depths of it. You know everything I've done, still You love me fully and completely. You don't look at me in my sin, You see me clothed in the righteousness of Jesus Christ. :) I love You! Please help me to share the glory and beauty of Your love with the people You've put around me. You are not an angry, mean, condemning God. You are a loving, Self-sacrificing God who bore our punishment and set us free! Hallelujah! Thank You. Amen.

Jacob

Hey ya'll! I've just enjoyed a great DNow weekend with Jesus and 8th grade girls! Hallelujah! My Father loves me sooooo much! God Almighty is our Daddy, and He LOVES us! There is so much freedom and strength in that!
I've been too busy to blog, but we've covered so much about Isaac, Rabekah, Jacob, Esau, Leah, and Rachel. It would take too long to tell you all I thought about as I read these stories. I have lots of questions too. So, I'll just talk about our reading for today.
This seems to be a pivotal time in Jacob's life, as he is very afraid and yet trying to trust God and follow Him. I love that he obeyed God even though he was afraid of Laban and Esau. Ya'll I wrestle with fear quite often- whether it is fear of my ex, of providing for my children, of falling into sin, of being deceived, or of dishonoring my Savior. Father, help me hear You and obey You despite my fears. I believe in Your love for me. I know You will never abandon me. Thank You. :)
One thing bothered me in this passage- Rachel stole her father's idols. Why? God had answered her prayers and given her a son. She had seen God bless her husband. So why did she take idols? Did she think she needed a back-up plan? Lord, help me carry no idols. Help me to trust only in You, and count on You. You will come through. :)
The part about Jacob wrestling with the God/man was intriguing to me. Had to be Jesus, right? Which makes this story all the more fascinating! If anybody has more insight into the deep truths here please share. Why did Jesus come to wrestle with Jacob? Was it to get him to trust Him? Jacob was clinging to Him, hanging on for His blessing. Jesus, in His Deity, could have won- could've killed him, but He didn't. Yet, He did wound Jacob. But Jacob was just thrilled he got to see God face to face. And God blessed him. Wow. What does it all mean? It sort of seems like a male bonding experience where Jacob comes to trust God and to know God loves him. Jacob doesn't seem to mind the limp, he seems more excited to know God and have His blessing. Awesome. Dear Jesus, please bring beauty from the ashes of my life. Let all of my pain remind me that You were with me through it all, loving me and taking care of me. You have never forsaken me. Thank You. I love You. Amen.