Once we embark on our thrilling walk with the Lord, we have no desire to turn back. There is no temptation to sin or worldly philosophy or god of this realm that is anywhere near as compassionate and present with us as our God. (Jeremiah 10:6; Psalm 86:8) He orders our steps and blesses us beyond our most cherished dreams or well laid out goals or plans (Psalm 37:23-25; Proverbs 14:12-15).
Once we believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and are saved from the wide road that leads to destruction (Acts 16:31), He adopted us through His Son. As the sheep of His pasture, we hear His voice and follow only Him (John 10:27-28). As we seek His face, He guides us with His eye (Psalm 32:8). He smooths out our path in life and leads us moment by moment (Luke 3:5; Isaiah 26:7).
All He requires from us is full surrender to His principles and precepts because it is within the safety of their boundaries that we dwell in His presence now and throughout eternity (John 14:15-31). He fills us with His Spirit that sanctifies us little by little during our lifetime (1 Thessalonians 5:23).
Satanic forces attempt to influence us to doubt God’s love and to question His motives (Numbers 32:11); however, after experiencing God’s goodness, there is no way that we would fall prey to these deceptive lies. We follow God as our Good Shepherd and willingly submit to His will and ways (Numbers 14:20).
Listen to this awesome song: How Good of God by Matthew West
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-xro1sWjN78
When we live according to worldly advice and wisdom, and trust in the philosophy of human origins we end up facing God in shame and humiliation (Isaiah 30:1). When we trust in the Lord alone, we have His inner peace, wisdom, and fulfillment both now and throughout eternity (Matthew 16:26).
As well as our righteous standing with God through Jesus’ sacrifice on Calvary’s cross, the works we do on earth prove our faith in the Lord (James 2:18-20; 1 Corinthians 3:8). Our greatest reward both in life and in eternity is to know God more intimately with each passing day.
Prayer:
Father God, we want to yearn for Your presence in our life with the same intensity that the deer pants for water from the brook (Psalm 42:1). If we desire anything or anyone more than You, then You cannot bless us as fully as You do when You are our consuming fire and fulfillment (Hebrews 12:29).
Search us and know our heart, try us and know our ways; then if You see any tendency in us toward wickedness, prune us until we completely walk in Your righteousness (Revelation 2:23; Psalm 139:23-24; John 15:2). We want You to be the love of our life and to adjust our focus about anything that comes before You in our heart (Matthew 19:29; Colossians 3:3-4).
Thoughts for the Day:
Any righteousness or gain that we attain in life through our own merit is considered as wood, hay, and stubble and will burn up in the fire of God’s judgment (1 Corinthians 3:12). Adversely, any good we do that is led by the Spirit of God is accounted to us as righteousness and is our treasure that we store up in heaven (Matthew 6:19-21).
