I consider myself a law-abiding citizen, and probably you do, too. But today as I read the devotion, it struck me that a term better describing me would be criminal! I may follow the laws of this land pretty well, but as far as what God's law expects of me, I fall pitifully short!
In my daily study I was referred to Psalm 119 where it says in verses 5 and 6, "O that my ways were steadfast in obeying your decrees! Then I would not be put to shame when I consider all your commands." (I love when the Lord pulls thoughts together for me from different sources!) The shame I deserve for my disobedience is the shame that Jesus suffered hanging on the cross between two criminals.
But like God's people in Nehemiah's day who rose to their feet in awe after hearing God's Word read to them, being reminded that the God of heaven and earth had in love chosen to communicate with them, we respond to Jesus' sacrifice of suffering and death on our behalf with a life filled with hope and JOY (Jesus first, others second, yourself last). Because of faith in Jesus, when God looks at us, He doesn't see "criminal", He sees Jesus.
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