"I am the Alpha and the Omega", says the Lord God,
"who is, and who was and who is to come, the Almighty."
-Revelation 1: 8
 
Do You Know Who I Am?

Imagine a person.  A person like you or me questioning how God could love and forgive them.  It might sound like this.  "God, do you know who I am?  Have you seen the things I have done Lord?  Do you know the thoughts that I think?  Lord, I have heard of your grace and your love.  They sound great but I know that they can't work for me.  They are not enough.  I know me, Lord.  I am too great a sinner.  I have done too much.  I do not feel as though I will ever change.  No, there is no hope for me Lord, I am a lost cause.  Lord, are you listening?  Do you know who I am?"  I know what it is like to think in that way.  Perhaps you do too?  It is sad to think that there are people all around us who feel this way.  They feel so unworthy and trapped in sin that they believe there is no way God could love or forgive them.  The world has a way of bringing us down causing us to lose hope.  But lets not forget that there is another side to this relationship we have with God.  God Himself!

God responds.  "My child.  I hear you and love you.  Yes, I know who you are, but do you know who I am?  I am the Alpha and the Omega who is, and who was and who is to come, the Almighty. (Revelation 1: 8 above)  I am the One who formed you from the dust of the ground and breathed the breath of life into you (Genesis 2: 7)  I am the One who provided for you a Lamb (Genesis 22: 8), my only Son, to be sacrificed for your sins.  My Son, the Lamb of God, who takes away sin (John 1: 29).  Yes my child.  I know who you are.  I know all that you have done.  But remember Who I Am!  "...My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." (2nd Corinthians 12: 9).  I hear you my child, I love you and forgive you.  Now trust in Me and become a new creation, the old will be gone, and the new will come." (2nd Corinthians 5: 17)]

There are times in each of our lives when we might wonder if God really knows who we are.  And if He does how could He love and forgive us.  But lets not forget Who God is.  He is beyond our comprehension.  He can easily ask of us, "Do You Know Who I Am?"  The ways of God are not the ways of the world.  Read 1st Corinthians 1: 26-31 below.  The truth is that none of us are worthy or deserving of God's love and grace.  But He 'uses the foolish to shame the wise and the weak to shame the strong' (verse 27)  "It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God-that is our righteousness, holiness, and redemption.  Therefore as it is written: 'Let him who boasts boast in the Lord." (1st Corinthians 1: 30-31).  Yes, God knows exactly who you are.  He loves you and accepts you.  His grace is there for you.  He will change you.  Keep praying and humbling yourself before Him.  Keep your heart open to His Word and your ears open when He asks you, "Do You Know Who I Am?"  Yes Lord we do!  And we thank you for your love and mercy.  Take God's love and mercy and share it with those around you so that they too can see Who He is?

I pray that all is well with you.  Please let me know if you have any prayer concerns or praises.  Have a good week and remember to smile :), for the Lord loves you.
 
In Christ,
 
Shan D. Hartsough