40 Days of Easter 2011 Devotional

40 Days of Easter - March 23, 2011

Written by: The Hess Family (Bill & Kathy)
Poplar, Montana

The Heart of God

Matthew 23:37-39

"O Jerusalem, O Jerusalem thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee. How often I would have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings and ye would not! Behold your house is left unto you desolate. For I say unto you. Ye shall not see me henceforth, till ye shall say, Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord."

Jesus is the temple of God. He is pleading to His people to turn from their rebellion. He sees that they are prideful and unwilling to listen. His heart goes out to them, and He tenderly describes His care and desire to protect them, although they have rejected His calling nearly seven times with His visits to Jerusalem. He recognizes that they are nothing without Him. Desolate, there is no chance for them on their own. They have made their own rules the law and have not recognized Him as the returning Messiah. He gives them a hint of His deity when He tells them that when they see Him again, when they recognize that He is God, the Messiah, they will say ?blessed is He that cometh in the name of the Lord?.

Key Verse: "How often I would have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings and ye would not!" Matthew 23:37

I couldn't help but remember watching my hen gathering her chicks one rainy day. There were over a dozen! She wouldn't settle down until they all were found, gathered together near the porch. She was just a little hen, wings not very large, but colorful: red, orange, brown, sparkling teal green. I remember wondering how she could look so beautiful on a rainy day, her movement so intentional, seeking her golden, fluffy baby chicks. The most amazing moment was to watch her spread her wings. The span increased by over double! She turned and twisted to get every baby chick under her wings, not a drop of rain could touch them. It was amazing, like a miracle.

You know, God is that way. He is intentional with His love for us. He looks for us, protects us, and goes to the end of the earth to keep us under His wing. I feel it sometimes when my heart is wandering. I feel it when I am not who I am supposed to be. I feel it when I feel vulnerable, a target of ridicule from people around me or maybe just the enemy. God's protecting love surrounds me. How possibly could God cover such a span of rebellion in my own life? It's through His Son. It has been prepared for me from the beginning. His heart was thinking of me even in Jerusalem. There was a plan. The thought of it overwhelms me sometimes, but then I realize that I have always been in the mind and heart of God. All mankind has been on His mind from the beginning. He has always been a God of love, compassion, protection, and purpose. That comforts me. When I feel like I am alone, I know that He is with me. His wings of love surround me, protecting me from those things that pull me away, and He tugs me a little closer so I stay near and know He is with me. I thank God for sending His Son Jesus to die on the cross for my sin. Without Jesus? death, I would be forever separated from God. I am thankful that God prepared from the beginning a way to stay with Him. I am thankful my heart does not have to be desolate from my rebellion but that it is filled with His grace and especially His love.

Application: Do you feel God's wing of protection over your life? Have you experienced the unfailing grace of God through asking Jesus into your heart? Take time to know Him today, or maybe refresh your spirit by imagining yourself underneath the ever-protecting wing of God.

Prayer: Lord, please help me remember what You have done for me. Help me remember Your love for me, how You desire to be near me, to protect me, and to want the best for me. Help me to remember Your heart weeps for me in my rebellion yet rejoices when I return! Praise be to God for His heart for me and unfailing love.