As we head into Easter this Sunday, my mind is on the scene of Jesus weeping over Jerusalem. The hardness of their hearts had caused the people of Jerusalem to reject the one true King, and His tears displayed the loss and grief He felt for them.
There is a depth of emotion He feels for those who have turned away and chosen not to accept His great gift of grace.
My guess is that you have a person or two in your life that have also chosen not to accept this gift of grace. It is a unique and haunting kind of grief that I would never wish on any loved one.
There is an amount of pain and helplessness you feel because you can’t “force” them to believe in the true Son of God. The control is lost…and any hope for their soul is put in the Redeemer’s hands.
But how capable are His loving hands? How much more hope is there, when we release the reigns and turn it over to Him?
Not only does He “not desire that all men would perish but come to everlasting life” (2 Peter 3:9)…but He tenderly draws them to His grace. There is an unmistakable chasing that happens from the Holy Spirit.
Like Pastor Jason mentioned quoting Francis Thompson, the Holy Spirit is referred to as “the Hound of Heaven.” He relentlessly pursues our souls.
It reminds me of the words found in Psalm 23 verse 6, “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life.” (NKJV)
This word “follow” here means to pursue, to chase, to run after.
So when your head hits the pillow tonight, and your mind drifts to the unsaved people you love…remember this Hound of Heaven. Remember Jesus weeping over Jerusalem.
His goodness and His mercy will follow them…He will pursue them.
Oh friend, He cares. He really cares. He won’t rest until your loved one has been given every opportunity to choose Him and follow Him. He knows their heart. Rest in the peace of sweet surrender of those you love to the arms and capable hands of Jesus. You will never find a more loving King.
There is a depth of emotion He feels for those who have turned away and chosen not to accept His great gift of grace.
My guess is that you have a person or two in your life that have also chosen not to accept this gift of grace. It is a unique and haunting kind of grief that I would never wish on any loved one.
There is an amount of pain and helplessness you feel because you can’t “force” them to believe in the true Son of God. The control is lost…and any hope for their soul is put in the Redeemer’s hands.
But how capable are His loving hands? How much more hope is there, when we release the reigns and turn it over to Him?
Not only does He “not desire that all men would perish but come to everlasting life” (2 Peter 3:9)…but He tenderly draws them to His grace. There is an unmistakable chasing that happens from the Holy Spirit.
Like Pastor Jason mentioned quoting Francis Thompson, the Holy Spirit is referred to as “the Hound of Heaven.” He relentlessly pursues our souls.
It reminds me of the words found in Psalm 23 verse 6, “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life.” (NKJV)
This word “follow” here means to pursue, to chase, to run after.
So when your head hits the pillow tonight, and your mind drifts to the unsaved people you love…remember this Hound of Heaven. Remember Jesus weeping over Jerusalem.
His goodness and His mercy will follow them…He will pursue them.
Oh friend, He cares. He really cares. He won’t rest until your loved one has been given every opportunity to choose Him and follow Him. He knows their heart. Rest in the peace of sweet surrender of those you love to the arms and capable hands of Jesus. You will never find a more loving King.
Erika Pizzo
Erika is an author of various books on the topics of faith, mental health, and victory in Christ. Erika lives with her husband, daughter, son, and their fluffy poodle in sunny Southern California. Her two favorite things are a visit to the beach and a chai latte in hand.