Compelling Love

Today in Israel there is much rejoicing that the remaining hostages kidnapped by Hamas on October 7, 2023  are now being released. Also, in Gaza many Palestinians are celebrating the release of many prisoners held in Israeli jails for crimes committed years ago. Also, six Ukrainian children were released this week who were being held in Russia due to contingencies of war, thanks to first lady Melania Trump’s personal intervention with Vladimir Putin. These families with loved ones being released from captivity have much cause for rejoicing.

Another cause for great rejoicing is when God frees a person from the guilt of sin. In Psalm 32, David declares that God forgives the guilt of those who confess their sins to Him with a contrite heart.

Psalm 32 (New Living Translation – NLT)
¹ Oh, what joy for those
    whose disobedience is forgiven,
    whose sin is put out of sight!
² Yes, what joy for those
    whose record the Lord has cleared of guilt,
    whose lives are lived in complete honesty!
³ When I refused to confess my sin,
    my body wasted away,
    and I groaned all day long.
⁴ Day and night your hand of discipline was heavy on me.
    My strength evaporated like water in the summer heat. Selah

⁵ Finally, I confessed all my sins to you
    and stopped trying to hide my guilt.
I said to myself, “I will confess my rebellion to the Lord.”
    And you forgave me! All my guilt is gone.  Selah

⁶ Therefore, let all the godly pray to you while there is still time,
    that they may not drown in the floodwaters of judgment.
⁷ For you are my hiding place;
    you protect me from trouble.
    You surround me with songs of victory.  Selah

When we confess our sins and truly commit ourselves to follow Him, God promises to guide us along the best pathway for our life

⁸ The Lord says, “I will guide you along the best pathway for your life.
    I will advise you and watch over you.
⁹ Do not be like a senseless horse or mule
    that needs a bit and bridle to keep it under control.”

¹⁰ Many sorrows come to the wicked,
    but unfailing love surrounds those who trust the Lord.
¹¹ So rejoice in the Lord and be glad, all you who obey him!
    Shout for joy, all you whose hearts are pure!

Jesus likewise promises in Matthew 5:8 (NKJV), “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.” He also promised to set people free by the Spirit of the Lord at the beginning of his ministry in Luke 4:18-19 (NLT), “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, for he has anointed me to bring Good News to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim that captives will be released, that the blind will see, that the oppressed will be set free, and that the time of the Lord’s favor has come.”

David’s prayer of repentance in Psalm 51 exemplifies seeking and receiving God’s forgiveness and freedom from sin.

Psalm 51 (NKJV)
¹ Have mercy upon me, O God,
According to Your lovingkindness;
According to the multitude of Your tender mercies,
Blot out my transgressions.
² Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity,
And cleanse me from my sin.

¹⁰ Create in me a clean heart, O God,
And renew a steadfast spirit within me.
¹¹ Do not cast me away from Your presence,
And do not take Your Holy Spirit from me.

¹² Restore to me the joy of Your salvation,
And uphold me by Your generous Spirit.
¹³ Then I will teach transgressors Your ways,
And sinners shall be converted to You.

Jesus promised that his followers would know the truth, and the truth would set them free.

John 8 (Today’s New International Version)
³¹ To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. 32 Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

The law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.

John 1 (NKJV)
¹⁷ For the law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. ¹⁸ No one has seen God at any time. The only begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, He has declared Him.

He boldly declared in John 14:6 (NKJV), ““I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. Jesus is coming again soon. Get ready, be watchful, and occupy till he comes. Purify yourself with this hope that is in you.

1 John 3 (NKJV)
² Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. ³ And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.

The recent song, “The Trumpet Will Sound” describes his soon coming.
https://www.facebook.com/reel/706176369153820

1. The trumpet will sound
The sky will break
Every knee will bow
Every heart will shake

2. The King of glory
Riding on the clouds
The Savior of the world
His name we cry out

3. Jesus is coming
The heavens declare
Holy, Holy
The nations will stand

4. The Lamb who was slain
Crowned as the King
For ever and ever
His praises we sing

5. The dead will rise
The saints will rejoice
Every tribe and tongue
Will lift up one voice

6. No more sorrow
No more pain
When Christ returns
He will forever reign

7. Jesus is coming
The heavens declare
Holy, Holy
The nations will stand

8. The Lamb who was slain
Now crowned as the King
Forever and ever
His praises we sing

9. Like lightning flashing
From the east to the west
Our Redeemer comes
In glory and rest

10. Be ready, be watchful,
The hour is near
Lift up your hands
For our king will appear

11. Jesus is coming
Let every heart sing
Glory and honor
To Christ our King

12. The heavens are open
The Kingdom has come
Worthy is Jesus
The victorious One.

David Krause, dhkrause2@gmail.com, https://compellinglove.net/