July 9, 2021 -- Ephesians 1:3-6 -- Rescue cats

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, 4 even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love 5 he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, 6 to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved.

Ephesians 1:3-6 ESV

What a soaring passage of praise this is. What deep and high and wide blessings flow to us by the decree of our Father Who has elected us in His love through Jesus Christ sealing this decree in us by the Spirit so that we are made fit for eternal life.

A dear friend and I were speaking yesterday on the significance of our election. Consider what we are like before the Spirit of God broke down our stubborn resistance. Here is the word picture we came up with as we spoke. We were like drowning cats before the kindness of the LORD took hold of us. When He reached down and rescued us we didn’t purr and thank Him in gratitude. We bit. We fought. We scratched. Not until we were fully rescued. Dried. Restored. Calmed. Fed. Safe. Did we ever think of praising Him and blessing Him for our great salvation.

In fact, even as those who are saved and rescued from the whirlpools, raging falls and fast undertows, we are just as likely to jump right back into our folly. We need the restraining hand of the Beloved, Who seals us with His Spirit, so that the things of our past are not back-lit with hazy, fond memories as if drowning were pleasant. By His great grace and steadfast love, the more we reflect on our rescue and the greater our songs to and meditations on the Rescuer, the deeper will be our life-long gratitude. Times of rebellion will be foreshortened because to our hearts and minds it is grace that is backlit and precious in our memories.

Great Shepherd of souls, blessed are You, Beloved and Dear Rescuer. Thank You for Your restraining love that seals us by Your Spirit so that we are prepared for Your courts above. Our Father in heaven, Who is like You—the false narratives of this world and the trite lies of those who hate You are blasphemies too great! How tender You are. How infinite You are in Your patience toward us. Let our lives and our lips, our thoughts and our tasks ever bless You until all wandering and even the potential for wandering is ended and Your presence will be fullness of joy and peace, contentment and exuberance which stretches to all eternity. Amen.

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