"O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the one who kills the prophets and stones those
who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together,
as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing.
See! Your house is left to you desolate: For I say to you, you shall see
me no more till you say, "Blessed is HE who comes in the name of the Lord!"
Matthew 23:37-39
But God asked... (a love story)
One day, I woke early in the morning to watch
the sunrise. Ah the beauty of God's creation is beyond
description. As I watched, I praised God for His beautiful
work. As I sat there, I felt the Lord's presence with me.
He asked me, "Do you love me?"
I answered, "Of course, God! You are my Lord and Savior!"
Then He asked, "If you were physically handicapped,
would you still love me?"
I was perplexed. I looked down upon my arms,
legs and the rest of my body and wondered how many
things I wouldn't be able to do, the things that I took for granted.
And I answered, "It would be tough Lord, but I would
still love You."
Then the Lord said, "If you were blind, would you still
love my creation?"
How could I love something without being able to see it?
Then I thought of all the blind people in the world and
how many of them still loved God and His creation.
So I answered, "Its hard to think of it, but I would still love
you
The Lord then asked me, "If you were deaf, would you
still listen to my word?"
How could I listen to anything being deaf? Then I
understood. Listening to God's Word is not merely using
our ears, but our hearts.
I answered, "It would be tough, but I would still listen to
Your word."
The Lord then asked, "If you were mute, would you still
praise My Name?"
How could I praise without a voice? Then it occurred to
me: God wants us to sing from our very heart and soul. It
never matters what we sound like.
And praising God is not always with a song, but when we are
persecuted, we give God praise with our words of thanks.
So I answered, "Though I could not physically sing, I would still
praise Your Name.
And the Lord asked, "Do you really love Me?"
With courage and a strong conviction, I answered boldly,
"Yes Lord! I love You because You are the one and true God!"
I thought I had answered well, but God asked,
"Then why do you sin?"
I answered, "Because I am only human. I am not perfect."
"Then why in times of peace do you stray the
furthest? Why only in times of trouble do you
pray in earnest?" No answers. Only tears.
The Lord continued: "Why only sing at fellowships and
retreats? Why seek Me only in times of worship? Why ask
things so selfishly? Why ask things so unfaithfully?"
The tears continued to roll down my cheeks. "Why are
you ashamed of Me? Why are you not spreading the good
news? Why in times of persecution, you cry to others when
I offer My shoulder to cry on? Why make excuses when I
give you opportunities to serve in My Name.
I tried to answer, but there was no answer to give.
"You are blessed with life. I made you not to throw this gift
away. I have blessed you with talents to serve Me, but you
continue to turn away. I have revealed My Word to you,
but you do not gain in knowledge. I have spoken to you but
your ears were closed. I have shown My blessings to you, but
your eyes were turned away. I have sent you servants, but
you sat idly by as they were pushed away. I have heard your
prayers and I have answered them all."
"Do you truly love me?"
I could not answer. How could I? I was embarrassed beyond belief.
I had no excuse. What could I say to this? When my heart had
cried out and the tears had flowed, I said, Please forgive me Lord. I
am unworthy to be Your child."
The Lord answered, " That is My Grace, My child."
I asked, " Then why do you continue to forgive me? Why do You
love me so?"
The Lord answered, " Because you are My creation. You are
my child. I will never abandon you. When you cry, I will
have compassion and cry with you. When you shout with
joy, I will laugh with you. When you are down, I will encourage
you. When you fall, I will raise you up. When you are tired,
I will carry you. I will be with you till the end of days, and I
will love you forever."
Never had I cried so hard before. How could I have been so cold?
How could I have hurt God as I had done? I asked God, "How
much do You love me?"
The Lord stretched out His arms, and I saw His nail-pierced hands.
I bowed down at the feet of Christ, my Savior. And for the first time,
I truly prayed.
Author Unknown.