Nothing is comparable, nothing is as priceless as intimacy with Jesus.
We are told (Hebrews 12:1) to lay aside every weight and the sin which (James 3:2) so easily entangles us. We all have areas of vulnerable weakness in our lives. When we are upset, lonely, hurt, etc. these proclivities beg for indulgence. For some of us it could be possessions so we go on a buying spree, deceiving ourselves that more things will help. We can forget that everything belongs to God and we are to be wise in handling what He has (Matthew 25:14-15) entrusted to our stewardship. For others it could be a wrong emotional attachment to food, making food our source of comfort. This is disobedience to (1 Corinthians 10:31) do everything including eating and drinking to the glory of God. How do we do that?
Our bodies are (2 Corinthians 6:16) the temples of God and as wise stewards we will not turn to the right hand of gluttony and (Job 15:27) add layer of fat, or to the left hand of anorexia and deplete our God-given strength. God created not only food but He also created in us hunger, appetite, taste, nourishment and enjoyment of that food, which comes to our tables straight from the Garden of Eden. From the beginning, God created the know-how for all the processing to make it possible for us to enjoy to-day all that He produced in Eden. We can see how we can glorify God in eating and drinking by (Hebrews 12:2) keeping our focus on Jesus and exulting with gratitude for the lavish provision of His grace in every area of our lives. If I wanted to, I could not list all the tendencies which divert Christians from wise stewardship but we all know our own weaknesses. We are not only to receive God’s gifts but also to respect them and use them for their intended purpose and to train ourselves in moderation and thereby glorify God.
Humility comes (Proverbs 15:33) before honour. If I refuse (1 Peter 5:6) to humble myself under the mighty hand of God, I cannot honour the Lord by allowing Him to exalt me into His purpose. (Oswald Chambers) “Never enthrone common sense. Common sense is a gift which God gave to human nature, but common sense is not the gift of His Son. Supernatural sense is the Gift of His Son. We have to see that this mortal flesh is kept in perfect subjection to Him and that He works through it, moment by moment.” God engineers (Proverbs 16:33) all the details and circumstances of my life. He is still in control when it looks like it is all surprisingly just dumped on me.
Even the things that seem accidental are ordered by the Lord and are (1 Thessalonians 5:18) His will concerning me. There is no need in my life for fear or worry but plenty of need for thanksgiving. I can trust His government in the world. God has made everything (Proverbs 16:4) to accommodate itself and contribute to its own end and to God’s own purpose. Even the wicked are fitted for their role for the day of calamity and evil. If you have forgotten or overlooked God’s all-powerful Sovereignty, take a long hard look at these verses again. Shore up your faith, in these dark days, by remembering (Luke 1:37) the fulfillment of a seemingly impossible promise. Absorb the truth that there is no human wisdom, (Proverbs 21:30) understanding or counsel that can prevail against the Lord.
Every time the Lord makes a daily withdrawal from my lifespan bank account in heaven, He takes thought (Psalms 40:17) and plans that day for me. He knows my frame (Psalms 103:14) and plans each day accordingly. When I receive that day from heaven, I am accountable for how I spend that day on earth. My heavenly citizenship connection should be evident on earth.
(Oswald Chambers) “Sanctification should work out into rest in God which means oneness with God, a oneness which will make me not only blameless in His sight, but a deep joy to Him.” I am fully obeying the Lord and confidently trusting Him. He will never allow anything in my life (Matthew 6:8) that will not work out for my good. Lord, all I am and have is Yours. All I ever hope to be can only be realized in you. Father, glorify Your Name to-day, every day by revealing and exalting Your beloved Son in me. In His wonderful prayer to the Father, Jesus said (John 17:23) I in them and You in Me. So, if we are truly born-again believers, we know that (Colossians 3:3) our lives are hidden with Christ in God. Nothing which could harm us can penetrate that sheltered place of love and safety.
Yesterday morning when I came back to my apartment from the Hair Salon, the thoughts in my mind spun themselves into this little poem.
Precious Jesus, ever always be YOURSELF in me,
Let me never in any way be a hindrance, Lord to Thee
As You reveal to others and all else so far above,
Your fragrance, sweetness, beauty in the outpouring of God’s love.
The transcendence of the Sovereign God and the imminence of my loving heavenly Father is a mystery combination which floods my being with worshipful wonder and joyful gratitude. Nothing is comparable, nothing is as priceless – far beyond all price – as intimacy with Jesus.