From my earliest recollection of reading the Scriptures, this verse seemed to take a hold of my heart more than most. Possibly because it gave an answer to some “whys” of the detours and difficulties I have seen in life. It also gave me the awareness that the Lord is able to direct through closed doors, as well as open ones. And in this I was able to praise the Lord for His wisdom for all the bent roads that had led me to complete surrender to His Lordship, and eventual revelation of His Word.
Psalm 127: 1: says, “Unless the Lord builds the house, they labor in vain who build it.” It is impossible for anyone to appropriate to oneself what only God alone has the Power to bestow. Such is Salvation, Divine attributes, and direction.
In Exodus 33: 19: the Lord speaks to Moses and says, “..I will make all My Goodness pass before you, and will proclaim the Name of the Lord before you; and I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and I will show compassion to whom I will show compassion.” In John 6: 44: Jesus implicitly says, “No one can come to Me, unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up on the last day.” In John 14: 6: Jesus also says, “I am the Way, and the Truth, and the Life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.” John 6: 37: says, “All whom the Father gives to Me will come to Me; and the one who comes to Me I will most certainly not cast out (I will never, no never, reject one of them who comes to Me.)”
Psalms 37: 23: says, “The steps of a (righteous) man are established (ordered, directed) by the Lord, and He delights in his way (He busies Himself with his every step.)” Psalm 51: 17: says, “The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart (broken down with sorrow for sin, and humbly, and thoroughly penitent), O God, Thou wilt not despise (or turn away).” Romans 3: 23 + 24: says,” For all have sinned and fall short of the Glory of God, being justified as a gift by His Grace (unmerited favor and choice) through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus. In John 6: 45: it says, “It is written in the prophets, “And they shall all be taught of God.” Everyone who has heard and learned from the Father comes to Me.”
Dearest Holy Lord Jesus: how humbling to know that You first loved us, and You first drew us to Yourself. In John 15: 16: You say, “You did not choose Me, but I chose you, and appointed you, that you should go and bear fruit, that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My Name, He may give it to you.” Thank You for Your Graciousness, and the honor to have been called to Salvation. Come by Your Holy Spirit, and bring conviction to every heart of their need of Your Lordship in their life. Glory to You alone!
