Receive, Retrieve

The spies walked into it. Was the march of the king’s soldiers that rang through the dark Jericho streets that evening, the heart stop of “oh my, where to go, are we done, is this the end”? The surprise leak of their being there? Or was the quick, “Up to my roof, hide!” more startling? Perhaps it was after all this, the pronouncement, “I know that the LORD has given you the land, and that the fear of you has fallen upon us. . . .” (Jos. 2:8) from the painted mouth of a Gentile “enemy”?

God had been at work. The Israelites received Rahab as one of their own. She was ready, looking. She came to them, asking for salvation and inclusion in the Lord’s people.

God’s work in Ruth’s heart shone: “Your people shall be my people, and your God my God” (Ruth 1:16). Ruth was received by the people of God.

The Canaanite woman, a Syrophonecian, was received by Jesus (Matt. 15:22). And left with salvation for her daughter.

Our Lord’s open hands, open heart. His intangible work being seen.

Did the Lord’s words interrupt Hosea’s grief? Were they welcomed? Had he been so hurt and burned that the Lord’s words seared? “Go again, love a woman who is loved by another man and is an adulteress” (Hos. 3:1). Hosea retrieved Gomer, just as the Lord was retrieving a remnant of Israel through Hosea.

Hundreds of years later, thunderous and brilliant words again split the heavens, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?” The Lord Jesus retrieved Saul to himself.

Our Lord comes to seek the lost (Luke 19:10).

I was listening to a talk by Roland Warren on “The Pro Abundant Life Vision.” He distinguished between receiving and retrieving ministry. Both, both are necessary and good! I found this a helpful framework to discern what the Lord is doing in someone’s life and how to participate in his work: is the Lord receiving or retrieving?

Naaman shows the journey (2 Kings 5). The Lord sent a little servant girl to retrieve him. Closed to God, frightened by leprosy. His power stripped away, powerless against this disease. Helpless. And a powerless servant girl pointed him to the powerful God. So he began seeking, and I think by the time he humbled himself to listen to this strange man of God, Elisha, he was seeking. Elisha received him (although in those times, very inhospitably and non-honoring! But it was the medicine Naaman needed to finally humble himself to accept God). “Behold, I know that there is no God in all the earth but in Israel” (2 Kings 5:15) were Naaman’s words.

There is no one too far to retrieve. Our Lord, seeking people at all stages, from all religions, all walks of life, all nations. There is no person or culture who is a stranger to the Lord--he has given each some witness to him. He is the LIVING GOD AT WORK. Lord, give us eyes to see.

When has Jesus received you? Retrieved you?

Who is he working to receive in your life? Retrieve? How can you participate in what he is doing?