Entangled
Sometimes it is necessary to entangle yourself in the mess.
That was the thought in my mind this past Sunday when I responded to an altar call to come forward and stand in the gap for someone who needs to surrender to Jesus. I did so for someone I deeply love and with this thought of entanglement in my mind.
To be entangled is often a negative thing. For example, Hebrews 12:1 warns us about the “sin that so easily entangles,” and Galatians 5:1 says we should not be “entangled again in a yoke of bondage.” In both cases, the imagery is that of being inextricably caught in a web of sin. There is a tone of despair because the one involved is incapable of extracting himself or herself. The previous entanglement has prevented the opportunity for escape.
But entanglement is even more powerful when it is the God of the universe intentionally entangling His Name, His reputation, and His story with you! This is obviously true in the macro sense—God entangled Himself in your story when He came to Earth in the form of Jesus and took on your shame and punishment for sin. It is the most glorious truth in all the world!
But I want to go one layer deeper this week. Why should God bother to listen to your prayers for help and rescue? Why should He bother with your “small” concerns when He is responsible for the “big” of eternity? Why should He listen when I walk forward to make petitions for someone I love? Why would God entangle Himself in all of that?
My friend, the answer lies in the fact that He already entangled His reputation with yours long ago, and therefore you can run to Him with petitions for help in order that He might defend His own Name!
It is a breathtaking thing to consider, but it is right there in black and white in Psalm 109:21: “But you, Sovereign Lord, help me for your name’s sake.”
It is a crazy truth, but when you choose Jesus—when you choose to become entangled in and with God, your defense becomes His defense.
If your name reflects on His Name, and if your reputation reflects on His reputation, that entanglement means that your rescue contributes to the defense of His Name! Your God is a jealous God (Ex. 34:14), and He will defend His Name!
That was my prayer this week as I knelt at the altar: “God, defend your Name! Call this one I love to Your side for Your Name’s sake!”
How are you entangled this week? If it is by and with the trappings of sin, call on the One who has entangled Himself with you to set you free. If, however, you are entangled by and with the Name above all Names, enter His court with boldness, remind Him that His Name and reputation are entangled with yours, and ask with confidence that He would intervene for His Name’s sake!