If you visited yesterday, you’ll have read Part 1 of an experience I had on a trip to the beach. (If you’d like to read it, here it is.)
It was a much needed girl’s weekend at the beach. Even though we didn’t go out on the beach to relax in February, it was worth going simply for the time together with late nights, coffee, M&M’s, shopping, eating, laughter, and deep conversations. We wished it could’ve lasted longer.
On Sunday, the last day, I wanted to walk on the beach one more time. The waves were calm now with a light breeze. The storms had passed. I took a deep breath of the salty air and stepped into the cool sand and sighed. It felt like holy ground.
I wanted there to be remnants from this weekend and my time on the beach. It’s usually rather easy to bring part of the beach home with you. When you’ve been to the ocean, you know how sand is found in nooks and crannies and will stick in between your toes, under your fingernails, and in your beach bags. The remnants of the seashore make it from the beach back home miles away.
The grains of sand also become remnants of holy moments.
In Romans Paul tells the Jews in Rome about the remnants of Israel. He told them how God’s law will always remain because His law is perfect. But we are not perfect and that is why Jesus was sent as a sacrifice to free us from sin. Paul was also reminding the Romans how in the years past, since the beginning of time, there were many wars and devastation where many of God’s people were killed. But He always allowed some people to survive in order to continue His plan. Old Testament prophets called those people the “remnants”. Remnants to continue His Story. Remnants to be reminders of His promises.
Paul also reminded the people to stay on guard and referred them back to Isaiah 10:20-23 when Isaiah cries out,
“Though the number of the Israelites be like the sand by the sea, only the remnant will be saved. Destruction has been decreed, overwhelming and righteous. The Lord, the Lord Almighty, will carry out the destruction decreed upon the whole land.”
I find it interesting that when I look back at this experience and the Holy Spirit placed that Scripture in my heart that February day a few years ago, it now awakens my soul a different way. The part of that verse that stood out to me was about the grains of sand. But today the word “remnant” captures my attention.
“The remnants will be saved.” I don’t think Isaiah is talking about grains of sand being the remnants. I believe he’s talking about devoted believers who depend on God are the remnants to whom he’s referring. Does it seem like in today’s world, devoted Christ followers are more like scattered remnants than large sand castles built by man? Sand castles can be washed away but small remnants of sand still stick on the hands of the Maker.
Paul then goes on to say,
“God has preserved a remnant, elected by grace. Grace is central in God’s action here, and it has nothing to do with deeds prescribed by the law. If it did, grace would not be grace.” Romans 11:5-6
Grace. God’s grace. God’s redeeming grace. The central of God’s action.
Lord, please make me a remnant.
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