I just finished reading Strengthsfinder 2.0 and took the on-line evaluation that identifies my top five strengths. You who know me will not be surprised by the results: 1) Intellection; 2) Learner; 3) Ideation; 4) Relator; and 5) Strategic. There's not much "heart" in that line-up.
My relationship with God has always started with my mind and worked out from there. God is unique, God is great, God is good. God is the all-wise, almighty creator of the heavens and the earth. God is my Redeemer. God is my coming king.
For years, my family and friends have noted that while my grasp of the truth is strong, my relationship with Abba Father is weak. Since I was thoroughly wrapped up in strengths 1, 2, 3 and 5 above, I didn't get it.
As I look back, I can see that about twenty years ago God began to awaken my emotions in worship and gradually in prayer as well. I've become much more demonstrative in worship (I don't dance before the LORD, but I would if I could.) I refer to myself as a Charismatic Calvinist.
All of this prepared me to receive Marlene's loving exhortation regarding God's righteousness. She reminded me that righteous means "right action," or "doing the right thing" and implies relationship. In the Bible, God's righteousness is most often mentioned in connection with His relationships with His people and their relationships with Him and with one another.
As I thought about it, I was reminded of these words from Isaiah:
"Listen to Me, O house of Jacob, and all the remnant of the house of Israel, you who have been borne by Me from birth and have been carried from the womb;
even to your old age I will be the same, and even to your greying years I will bear you! I have done it, and I will carry you; and I will bear you and I will deliver you. Isaiah 46:3,4
And of these words as well:
"Do not fear, for I am with you; do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand."
"I am the LORD your God, who upholds your right hand, Who says to you, "Do not fear, I will help you." Isaiah 41:10,13
Here is the heart-felt basis of my relationship with Abba Father. He is the one who took me from my mother's womb. He took me and claimed me as His own adopted son. He has sustained me and carried me in His almighty arms throughout my whole life and promises to do so as long as I live.
And through it all, He says "Do not fear, for I am with you;" "I will carry you" and "I will deliver you." "I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, surely I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." "Do not fear, I will help you."
Glory to God! He cares for and carries all of His adopted children, and upholds each one with His righteous right hand.
Uploading ....