divine intervention

"God, Who has called you into fellowship with His Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord, is faithful." 1 Corinthians 1:9

Sometimes, I am just so appalled at my own stupidity. But then again, it should come as no shock. After all, God likening me to sheep wasn't exactly a compliment. Rather it is a reality. What a fitting metaphor, you see. We, like sheep, go astray, leaving the pastures of peace for vain adventures. We are so foolish as to swap the perfect protection and provision of the Shepherd, for loneliness and fear. We are so silly as to starve ourselves of His all-sufficient love. But the beautiful thing is that God, the Great Shepherd, is in the business of seeking and saving lost sheep.

In our helpless state, He intervenes. Because of His great mercy, we are not consumed. I am no longer dead. I am no longer damned. This orphan has been adopted! He has redeemed my life from the pit. Not I, but He!

Salvation is from Him. Let me not forget it. That way, He gets all the glory, as He deserves. I have no righteousness to claim, except for that which He gives to me because of His Son, Jesus Christ. I have nothing to boast in, but the grace of God. The Gospel renders me dependent on Him. Does not 1 Corinthians 1:9 scream of our dependence? I am but the recipient of His call. He brought me to Himself, when I did not seek Him. He loved me, when I did not love Him. He keeps me, though I falter.

Therefore, it is only logical that this dependence should manifest itself in desperation. Just as I was unable to save myself, I am likewise incapable of growth, apart from the True Vine. And so, it is the 'is faithful' part of this verse where I breathe a huge sigh of relief. He will not abandon the work He has begun in me. I am confident of this, that "He Who began a work in me will complete it."

And just in case, we still don't understand, the Lord repeats tHis promise in 1 Thessalonians 5:24. "The One who calls you is faithful and He will do it." I think He is trying to get something across here, don't you? He is a patient Rabbi. Let me be a better student.