Jesus
walked this earth for thirty-three years and was a man of sorrows and
acquainted with grief (Isaiah 53:3-12). He knows how we feel and can relate to
our experiences (Hebrews 2:18). He learned obedience through the things which
He suffered.
Through
all of His suffering, He also walked in abiding peace, serenity of mind, calm
dignity, obedience to God's will for His life, and was controlled by God's
Spirit. He focused on the joy set before Him, even enduring the cross for our
sake (Hebrews 12:2).
He
had this attitude and formed these habits, because He spent time alone
communing with our Father God (Luke 5:16). He never spoke or accomplished
anything that He did not feel directed by God to say or do (John 5:19).
Growing in grace and favor with God and man
is something which Jesus accomplished with His life, and we can too (Luke 2:52).
He did not depend on the good opinion of others, nor did He allow their
demoralizing scorn define His opinion of Himself (Isaiah 53:3).
This
same Christ abides within our spirit, influencing us to emulate His example. As
we live in total surrender to Him, then His holiness, faithfulness, compassion
and grace manifest through us. This provides us with a good conscience, and a
holy walk (1 Timothy 1:19).
God
designed His Word to work like fire to consume our lusts, like a hammer to
break bondages we allow in our life, and like a sword to divide our soul and
spirit (Jeremiah 23:29; Hebrews 4:12). He promises to finish the work He began
in us (Philippians 1:6-7).
God's
Spirit faithfully keeps our whole spirit, soul and body blameless until He
returns. He is the author and finisher of our faith, and the promises of His
Word strengthen us with His joy (1 Corinthians 1:8; Hebrews 12:12; Isaiah 41:10).
Prayer:
Father
God, thank You for our abiding relationship with Your Trinity. You never
withdraw from us; but it is our sin which grieves Your Spirit and breaks our
fellowship with You. We want to walk in Your ways and to please You all the
days of our life.
Your
joy is our strength through the devastating events in our life, which force us
to our knees in prayer. Your joy is greater than human happiness, and it
transcends all of the negative emotions created by our responses to our
circumstances. Help us to walk in Your ways and to delight in Your paths.
Thought
for the Day:
The
Bible exposes our innermost thoughts and desires and cleanses us from all
unrighteousness; focusing on our spiritual walk, listening to the Spirit and
following His lead on a minute-by-minute basis, enables us to find eternal success,
earthly fulfillment and people who admire our walk and want to follow us as we
follow Christ.
-
Hebrews 4:12; 1 John 1: 9; 1 Corinthians 11:1
