He anointed us, set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come. 2 Corinthians 1:21-22 It was just a dirty old manger, covered in animal slobber and muck. Day after day the old caretaker had thrown fodder into this manger while the animals nudged each other out of the way to get something to eat. Most likely is was covered in dirt, had a few chips and cracks and Im certain had zero value. Yet, God entered the earth that He had made and crawled up into this undeserving box and made it His throne. Reminds me of another undeserving place that the Almighty chose to reside - my wicked heart. Jeremiah reminds us that the heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. (Jeremiah 17:9). Yet, God chose to humble Himself to the point of death that He may crawl up into the muck and mire of my brokenness to reside with power and authority. The dirty manger of my heart does not deserve the presence of God, but according to the Apostle Paul, the Creator of all that is put his Spirit within me when I trusted Him. That is reason enough for me to shout, Glory to God in the Highest and on earth, peace to whom His favor rests!! Not because of anything that I have done, but because of all that He has done - His favor now rests on me - this broken manger of a man.
Posted on: Mon, 22 Dec 2014 14:39:35 +0000