All through scripture, we read of people who professed to follow the God of heaven, actually doing things that God had specifically asked them not to do. Of course God wants professed followers to be committed and true and only worship Him. In Bible times and now, the professed followers of God many times place/d much of their time and affections upon things other than God in heaven. We are then in affect worshipping items other than God; for we cannot properly serve two Gods. Ezekiel 20: 7 “Then I said to them, ‘each of you, throw away the abominations which are before his eyes, and do not defile yourselves with the idols of Egypt. I am the Lord your God.’” Not that an nonliving or unknowing item can care, but our living all-knowing God in heaven certainly does care, as does the ‘living other’ in any earthly partnership. Verse 19 “O I am the Lord your God: Walk in My statutes, keep My judgments, and do them.”
Sometimes it seems like that it is impossible to walk in the way of the Lord and serve Him truly. I am so grateful that the only living God never leaves us without His help. He has a thousand ways of helping us that we never see or properly appreciate. Paul the intrepid apostle, often prayed for those he knew, and told them so. Part of one of these prayers finishes with how God strengthens us, so we can come close to Himself, Colossians 1: 11, 12 “Strengthened with all might according to His glorious power, for all patience and longsuffering with joy; giving thanks to the Father who has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light.” I am so glad that God not only does everything for me a repentant sinner to bring me into a joyful obedient walk with Him: but then I am given the assurance of an inheritance in heaven, along with all others who are true and obedient. For me there is even more good news, of deliverance, and safe passage to salvation. Verse 13 “He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love.” The ‘power of darkness’ certainly comes gunning for me (and others) when I promise to be faithful to God. I ask that I will remember that not only is Satan a defeated foe, but God will deliver me from the ‘power of darkness’. God knows, just what that promise means to me, at this present time; and I thank Him for reminding me. The ‘Son of His love’ becomes increasingly more precious and essential in my life, as each day goes past. Verse 14, 15 “In whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins. He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.” God gave us of the divine, Jesus, the image of Himself, who created and is in control of all creation. Verse 17 “And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist.”
In unity and partnership, God the Father and His Son, Jesus, have actively planned and are completing for all who accept and believe, the delivery of salvation from sin, with eternal life in heaven, to follow. Titus 2: 13, 14 “Looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Saviour Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works.”
Interestingly and consistently, throughout the scriptures, the message is repeated, believe and accept Jesus, and in His strength, go out and tell others about what Jesus has done within us individually and for the whole world.
So again I pray, that You Jesus, will be my strength and Director, so that my life actions and words can be used positively to tell about You and what You increasingly mean to me. It is such a pleasure to know and praise You my Creator and Saviour.