I reflected on the goodness of Jesus as I looked with thanksgiving at our harvests of beautiful and tasty corn. Successful crops of lettuces, pumpkins, turban squash and wildflowers in my garden this year were/are a gift resulting from seeds that overwintered and sprouted, or that I saved. I found an ear of corn that overwintered and planted the seeds. The plants produced a good yield thanks to periods of garden rains lacking hail.
The prophet Zachariah told about the coming of Jesus Christ and exclaimed His goodness and beauty.
For how great is his goodness, and how great his beauty! Zachariah 9:17
Zachariah testified to the basis for this statement:
- Jesus is righteous and having salvation; humble and mounted on the foal of a donkey (v. 9)
- He cuts off enemies and brings peace, ruling to the ends of the earth (v. 10)
- He is our stronghold. He frees us from the prison of sin because of His shed blood (v 11) and makes us prisoners of hope (v. 12)
- Protects us as the flock of His people, who are like jewels in a crown on his land (v. 16)
- Provides food (grain, grapes) that enable the youth to flourish (v. 17)
“On that day the Lord their God will save them, as the flock of his people; for like the jewels of a crown they shall shine on his land. For how great is his goodness, and how great his beauty! Grain shall make the young men flourish, and new wine the young women. Ask rain from the Lord in the season of the spring rain, from the Lord who makes the storm clouds, and he will give them showers of rain, to everyone the vegetation in the field.” Zechariah 9:16-18
Each of us who know Jesus as our Savior can testify to His goodness and beauty.
What is more beautiful than being called from hopeless addiction to sin to the new state of repentance, forgiveness, peace, hope and the ability to bear fruit for God.
“Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” Romans 5:1
The colorful kernels of corn in our garden make me think of the Christian’s status with Jesus as jewels of a crown in his land. By the grace of God through the shed blood of Jesus we are purchased, loved and precious in His sight.
“Thou shalt also be a crown of glory in the hand of the LORD, and a royal diadem in the hand of thy God.” Isaiah 62:3
Denying Jesus, on the other hand, invites the severity of God. Repent and call out to Jesus.
“Note then the kindness and the severity of God: severity toward those who have fallen, but God‘s kindness to you, provided you continue in his kindness. Otherwise you too will be cut off.” Romans 11:22
God gave a hint of His power in the increasingly destructive Hurricanes on New York City, New Orleans, and Houston. If you are concerned for your soul, call out to Jesus in repentance and faith in Him, and he will have mercy on you. He came to save sinners. He restores all things.
Abide in His love and keep His commandments so that your joy may be full.
“If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.” John 15:10-11.
Pingback: Remember the Abundance of God's Steadfast Love - Creationspeech