A devotional reading arising out of a study of Proverbs 10:22
A devotional reading arising out of a study of Proverbs 10:22
Text: "The Lord's blessing enriches and He adds no painful effort to it." - Proverbs 10:22
To find a sense of spiritual, emotional, physical and social equilibrium is a desire common to all. Yet, to be at peace with ourselves and others is no small feat. Today's text would have us understand that the key to such bliss is found outside of the realm of human effort. It is a gift of God to those who would choose to enter into a prayerful, intentional relationship with Christ.
"Do you ask, “How am I to abide in Christ?” In the same way as you received Him at first. “As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in Him.” “The just shall live by faith.” Colossians 2:6; Hebrews 10:38. You gave yourself to God, to be His wholly, to serve and obey Him, and you took Christ as your Saviour. You could not yourself atone for your sins or change your heart; but having given yourself to God, you believe that He for Christ's sake did all this for you. By faith you became Christ's, and by faith you are to grow up in Him—by giving and taking. You are to give all,—your heart, your will, your service,—give yourself to Him to obey all His requirements; and you must take all,—Christ, the fullness of all blessing, to abide in your heart, to be your strength, your righteousness, your everlasting helper,—to give you power to obey" - Steps to Christ, page 69.
For myself, this choice to accept Christ and to live consciously in His presence and power has been a life long pursuit. Like the Apostle Paul, "I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus"(Philippians 3:13,14). I have been set free from the shackles of my sinful past. These experiences inform me, but no longer bind me. I have been "accepted in the Beloved"(Ephesians 1:6), and am free, in Him to pursue the fulness that this life offers within His will.
Admittedly, the crucifixion of self is difficult. Especially if we try to conform or change our behaviour. As a Christian, I am not called by God to modify my behaviour. Rather, I'm encouraged to come to God as I am and to ask Him to change my heart. In John 15:4 the Lord appeals to us in this manner. "Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me." In Ezekiel 36:26,27 we find these encouraging words. "I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will keep My judgments and do them." Clearly, the blessing of God is a sovereign act that He offers to all. It remains for us to choose to be set free from the bondage of sin.
Unfortunately, we are still living in a world that is under siege and the tyranny of sin. The devil is still at work. Jesus, in John 16:33 says "... in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world."
It is in Christ that we find victory and His unerring example helps us to continue to live lives of faith rooted in Him. "Jesus gained the victory through submission and faith in God, and by the Apostle He says to us, "Submit yourselves to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw nigh to God, and He will draw nigh to you"(James 4:7,8). We cannot save ourselves from the tempter's power, he has conquered humanity, and when we try to stand in our own strength, we shall become a prey to his devices, but "the name of the Lord is a strong tower: the righteous run into it and are safe."(Proverbs 18:10). Satan trembles and flees before the weakest soul who finds refuge in that mighty name"(Desire of Ages, p 130).
We are in a battle, but we need not be afraid or fearful as to our eternal outcome. The Lord is able to "save to the uttermost, those those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them"(Hebrews 7:25). To exercise our free will and to choose life is the opportunity before us. The Lord loves us too much to leave us as we are. He would fit us for heaven. You can't commend yourself to His favour through good works or best intentions. All that we can offer is our sinful, broken lives. The good news is that He willingly takes them as we confess our sins to Him and submit to his leading. God is good and He extends His goodness to you today. Don't be afraid to take it. Pray to God and His blessing will enrich your life.