The old towels or items of clothing that used to have pride of place in our wardrobes or which hung from our towel rails - now they are torn rags used to wipe up dirt or clean the floor. A filthy rag that once was a clean piece of material.
This is the story of humanity. We were once the pride of God's 'wardrobe' - we were pure and spotless, but then we allowed ourselves to be dirted by sin. Instead of allowing God to cleanse us we kept doing our own thing and eventually God had to allow us to reach rock bottom. It was only when we were 'gutter slime' that we were willing to receive the hand of GRACE.
This was the story of Israel. Once the pride of God's creation - but they allowed sin to turn them into filthy garments. Sadly, God allowed them the freedom of their will and their choices cost them dearly. Left as filthy rags, the people of Israel realised the depth of their despair and turned back to God. It took a lot of pain for them to realise how far they had fallen, but sometimes we have to taste the disappointment before we comprehend our sin.
Thankfully, God's love reaches out to all 'filthy rags' and restores us to our royal state. It is grace that allows us to be restored and redeemed.
Lamentations 1:8-9
Jerusalem has sinned greatly,
so she has been tossed away like a filthy rag.
All who once honored her now despise her,
for they have seen her stripped naked and humiliated.
All she can do is groan
and hide her face.
9 She defiled herself with immorality
and gave no thought to her future.
Now she lies in the gutter
with no one to lift her out.
“Lord, see my misery,” she cries.
“The enemy has triumphed.”
and gave no thought to her future.
Now she lies in the gutter
with no one to lift her out.
“Lord, see my misery,” she cries.
“The enemy has triumphed.”
Thank God that we are not left as FILTHY RAGS, but are offered the love of JESUS.
Living in Grace
D3LM3
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