God doesn’t give up on us

In my reading today, I came across a verse I never recall reading before. I have read it, I just don’t remember it.

“All of us must die eventually. Our lives are like water spilled out on the ground, which cannot be gathered up again. But God does not just sweep life away; instead, he devises ways to bring us back when we have been separated from him.” II Samuel 14:14. New Living Translation

The context is a woman discussing with King David how he needs to bring his exiled son, Absalom home. The application is much greater. This statement reflects the heart of God toward us. We all really are dying. Once we are dead, it is over. But God does not disregard our morality or disrespect life. He is working to reconcile us to Him. We have all been separated from Him by our sin and we are all dying as a result. But until our very last breath, He is doing what He can to bring us to Himself. This is what gives hope to the death-bed repenters, to those who wait until their very last moment to call on God. While this is a very bad idea and an incredible gamble, I believe that millions of people will be in heaven who lived for Jesus only their last few moments on earth.

The bigger idea is that God loves us and does not want us to be removed from Him. He is devising ways to bring us back to Him. He allows trouble to come, blessings to come, whatever it takes to get our focus on Him.

God will move heaven and earth if necessary to bring you to Him. That’s how much He loves you. He is not giving up on you. Even if everyone else in your life quits, He will not.