When Adam was a child, I loved him,
and I called my son out of slavery.
But the more I called to you,
the farther you moved from me,
offering sacrifices to the images of comfort
and burning incense to Television.
I myself taught Adam how to walk,
leading you along by the hand.
But you don't know or even care
that it was I who took care of you.
I led Adam along
with my ropes of kindness and love.
I lifted the yoke from your neck,
and I myself stooped to feed you.
Oh, how can I give you up, Adam?
How can I let you go?
How can I destroy you like Admah
or demolish you like Zeboiim?
My heart is torn within me,
and my compassion overflows.
No, I will not unleash my fierce anger.
I will not completely destroy Adam,
for I am God and not a mere mortal.
I am the Holy One living among you,
and I will not come to destroy.
-Hosea 11
Jesus I need Your forgiveness, I need Your mercy, I need Your grace. Abba you have done everything for me. You taught me how to walk. You took care of me. You lead me with kindness and love. You lifted the yoke of unbearable religious demands from my neck. You stooped to feed me. Why Abba? Why would You stoop to feed me? I move farther and farther away from You. My heart is selfish, greedy, lazy, and ugly. I deserve Your fierce anger, to be destroyed completely. Yet You are the savior. You take brokenness aside and make it beautiful. You make me beautiful.
Where do You find the love to offer he who betrays You? and offer to wash my feet as I offer to disobey You, Your beauty does bereave me, and how my words do fail, so faithfully and dutifully I award You with betrayal.
-Matthias Replaces Judas - Showbread
I don't want to break Your heart. I don't want to choose anything other than You. Jesus all You have shown me is patience and love. Change me, renew me, make me beautiful. How can I make this life pleasing to You?
The tax collector stood at a distance and dared not even lift his eyes to heaven as he prayed. Instead, he beat his chest in sorrow, saying, ‘O God, be merciful to me, for I am a sinner.’ I tell you, this sinner returned home justified before God. For those who humble themselves will be exalted.
-Luke 18
Jesus I fear that I do not beat my chest with my eyes fixed on the ground crying out: O God, be merciful to me, for I am a sinner. Break me Abba, I want to offer You a pleasing sacrifice. I want to offer You a pleasing life. I am so disgusting and broken but You are the great redeemer You make all things new. Make me new. Make me beautiful.
I praise You Jesus for being Good. That Your character is forgiveness and love.
Heal my heart and make it clean
Open up my eyes to the things unseen
Show me how to love like You have loved me
Break my heart for what breaks Yours
Everything I am for Your Kingdom's cause
Hosanna - Hillsong