Reconciliation: The restoration of friendly relations. The action of making one view or belief compatible with another.
God spoke this word to me a few days ago, before the unjust death of George Floyd. It’s always interesting when I hear a word from Him and then type it into my phone to use later that week for a devotional, still having no idea how profound that word will be just a few days later.
And as easy as it could be to speak to that right now, I want to shift our focus to the One Who we most need to be reconciled to and how that’s only possible through Jesus. When we really press into this thought we discover that the only way to reconcile the troubles on the earth right now is with Jesus. While this is a powerful statement, I feel like far too many of us find it a weak or somehow overused statement, but how is that even possible? Has the cross lost its power? Has Jesus’ sacrifice somehow become old news?!
No! It remains the immovable power to save. The earth shaking and veil ripping power that came into the earth as a newborn baby and collided with sin and death on the cross. Storming the gates of hell and ripping the keys from the hands of the enemy as Jesus overcame the grave.
The only way for us to enter into Heaven is to be reconciled to the Father through Jesus Christ.
For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, Who gave Himself as a ransom for all men- the testimony given in its proper time. And for this purpose I was appointed a herald and an apostle- I am telling the truth, I am not lying- and a teacher of the true faith to the Gentiles. I want men everywhere to lift up holy hands in prayer, without anger or disputing. 1 Timothy 2:5-8
From this standpoint we can reach out into the world and offer the reconciliation that lasts. From the realization that none is holy apart from God, we can reach across the boundary lines and take hold of another’s hand and lead them into partnership with the Truth.
The truth is that with God all things are possible, including a deep reconciliation across America. It IS possible. We are not so far gone that we cannot find Him again. If you’ve spent much time reading your Bible, then you will note that far worse kingdoms and rulers have been brought into the holiness of God. We are arrogant if we believe that somehow our world and America now are worse that Sodom and Gomorrah or the reign of Nebuchadnezzar. When Nebuchadnezzar saw the power of God, he recognized it and the truth shook him and he praised God. Darius, when brought face to face with the power of God to save Daniel from the lion’s den, wrote a decree that all the people must fear and reverence God.
It’s happened before, it can happen again.
Prayer Moment: God, we cry out for reconciliation today. Lord bring dreams to people in America who don’t know You. Show Yourself to those in power and draw them into repentance. I pray over my own neighborhood, let everyone on my street be saved. Show me any way that I can partner with You to draw them into a real, life changing relationship with You. Help me to love my neighbor as myself. Lord, forgive me for times when I’ve been jaded against my neighbors. Thank You for loving us all so much that Jesus died in order to reconcile us to You. Let us never take that for granted. In Jesus name, Amen.
King Nebuchadnezzar, To the peoples, nations and men of every language, who live in all the world: May you prosper greatly! It is my pleasure to tell you about the miraculous signs and wonders that the Most High God has performed for me. How great are His signs, how mighty His wonders! His kingdom is an eternal kingdom; His dominion endures from generation to generation. Daniel 4:1-3
365 Days in the Presence 