Devotional
Reconciled and Restored
“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!” —Philippians 4:4
Rejoice! In Jesus Christ, our salvation is guaranteed. We’ve been translated from death to life—death has no sting!
But the finished work of our Lord and Savior isn’t only about the future. We have cause to rejoice in the present, too.
Jesus’ death and resurrection did more than just punch our ticket to heaven; He’s also removed every barrier standing between us and our God.
“For if, while we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life! Not only is this so, but we also boast in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation” (Romans 5:10–11).
Jesus has reconciled us and restored our relationship so that God is called our Heavenly Father. God sent his Son to pay the price for our sin so that we who believe could be called His children.
To seal His presence in us, He sent the Holy Spirit to dwell in us.
God invites us to respond to His love and desire for fellowship. He longs to love us as only He can, and He wants us to know Him in all of His fullness.
His heart’s desire for us is expressed in the commandment “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength” (Deuteronomy 6:5).
Relationships are a two-way street. Your Heavenly Father has removed all the barriers in Christ so that you can be close. He invites you to draw near.
Are you investing in the relationship? Are you moving toward the Father? Are you getting to know Him in prayer and by reading the Word?
Are you rejoicing in your relationship with God?
My prayer for this week:
Father, I do rejoice in my restored relationship with you. I recognize that it is all because of what Jesus has done for me. Will you draw me closer to you? In our closeness, Father, will you reveal more of yourself to me and fill me to overflowing with the joy that such closeness with you brings?