You're beautiful, my Lord

Dear Friends,
I hope you are well. This begins week 3 and I am so excited for the big things I know God will continue to do. As I continue in 2 Samuel a few things I wanted to share.

So between chapters 1 and 6 David becomes King of Judah and then of Israel after Ish-Bosteth (Saul's son dies). In chapter 6 we see that in verse 5 they are all celebrating and worshiping God and bringing the ark of the covenant into the city of David and this guy named Uzzah makes a terrible mistake in 2 Samuel 6:6 "But when they arrived at the threshing floor of Nacon, the oxen stumbled, and Uzzah reached out his hand and steadied the Ark of God."  Doesn't seem like a big deal right? The oxen stumbled and Uzzah steadied the Ark of God with his hand. He was being helpful right?

wrong.
The next verse tells us there was a consequence for this "Then the LORD's anger was aroused against Uzzah, and God struck him dead because of this. So Uzzah died right there beside the Ark of God." (6:7). 

harsh right? He was trying to help and here God just struck Him dead. In reality, Uzzah violated the law of God and God unleashes his wrath on him as punishment. How quick do we forget that our God has this power. Many times we focus on the love of God and forget the power of God and the holy standard to which we are held. Of course we can't meet that standard without Jesus, but in this time they didn't have Jesus. They still had sacrifices, they still were waiting for a savior and the ultimate sacrifice.

What we may not want to think about, but is absolutely true is this-- that wrath is still our God today, we just have the opportunity to let Jesus be our sacrifice to atone for our sin.  It is a personal choice and should we not choose Him we are subject to the pain that the world endures without Jesus. He told us He alone is the way, truth and light and no one comes to the father except through Him. He told us the path is narrow. He told us many will say Lord, Lord but He will say I never knew you. Jesus, though the beautiful lamb of God knew of the wrath of God and came to save the world from it and not condemn it.

We must get this. This can't be overlooked. We have an altogether lovely and worthy God who is all powerful and all knowing who loved us enough to send his son to save us. HOW BEAUTIFUL!! Such beauty requires a response on our part, that we might understand that because He died for us we are called to live for Him. We are loved, and He does want us, but the truth of the story of Uzzah though only a few lines reveals that because God is holy He must hate all that is unholy and thus that is why we are called to holiness. We can not be this by ourselves, and thus Jesus paid for our shortcomings. A price He didn't owe.

Why am I detailing out the truth of salvation? Well in part because you have to know this, and I will be responsible if I do not tell you the truth. But mainly-- when you understand how great and powerful our God is, and the pain and suffering that He could have left us subject to, when you understand how bad the bad news is then you really can appreciate how good the good news of Jesus is. It's stories like these in the bible that we do not hear about often but it reveals God's standard. Though we will always fall short of it, we have to run with all our might toward it. We have to live for Him.We can't be luke warm. Note I am calling you to believe not to earn your salvation. Running after God is merely a response to understanding the price He paid, but you must believe it in your heart. You must understand that going to bible studies, and prayer meetings and reading the word will not save you. Works will not save you but faith alone will and that faith is demonstrated through obedience and passion for the Lord. I pray that you run after Him in such a way that when you stand before Him He is pleased to see you. Let that be our desire to capture the heart of the savior. Let our motivation in all we do to bring glory to Him for that is our purpose.

I just think it is beautiful. absolutely beautiful and a song called "Beautiful Lord" by Leeland I think just has the most appropriate lyrics. It says:

When the storm is raging all around me
You are the peace that calms
My troubled sea
And when the cares of this world
Darken my day
You are the light that shines
And shows me the way

Oh, the beauty of Your majesty
On the cross You showed Your love for me!
Beautiful Lord
Awesome and mighty
I'm captured by this love I see
Beautiful Lord
Tender and holy
Your mercy brings me to my knees
It's Your mercy that has made me free
Beautiful Lord

When my sin is all that I can see
Your grace remains the shelter that I seek
And when my weakness is all I can give
Your gentle Spirit gives me strength again
And oh, the beauty of Your majesty
On the cross You showed Your love for me

And I am lifted by Your love to sing!
It's Your mercy that has made me free!

You're beautiful, my Lord
You're beautiful, my Lord

Let us see and speak of the beauty of the Lord. My Lord. He loved us in such a crazy and radical way, and thus the only response is to love Him back in a crazy, radical way. A holy and perfect God died for you that you might have life. Reread that-- let it soak in.

A HOLY AND PERFECT GOD DIED FOR YOU THAT YOU MIGHT HAVE LIFE! 

which just leaves me with one thing to say-- You're beautiful, my Lord.

Friends as you are praying for Him to show up-- if you haven't fully accepted Him. If you haven't put your entire heart, hope and faith in Him please do so. There is no elaborate ceremony, no monthly fee, no contract to sign. It's a response to God that you understand He wants a personal relationship with you. It's not about religion or rules but about letting him REDEEM you. Simply humble yourself and admit you need him, believe in Him that He alone is worthy of praise, and tell Him. Tell Him that your willing to live for Him.

Please don't keep waiting to start running after God. Please. We aren't promised tomorrow and I just want you to have the awesome love and peace that only God can provide. Accepting Him isn't the end-- its the beginning of the race. It's the horn being sounded and now you run with all your might until you get to the finish line. So on your mark, get set, GO. If you believe in Him, you are free to pursue Him with complete abandon. Take advantage of that.

As you keep praying for Him to show up know that He's there. He's always been there. You just have to turn around and walk toward Him. Simply turn and say "You're beautiful, my Lord" and He will show you a beauty that is not of this world. I want that for you, but not as much as He does. If you have any questions about anything I posted here or you want to know more please email me at anitahelton@gmail.com

I'm praying for you that you might see his beauty, and not his wrath at the end of your race. Don't run alone. If you will ask Him to show up full time, He will never leave you or forsake you. So just ask, and I promise He won't disappoint.