Sunday, February 16, 2014
Comfort In Knowing
As believers we are called to walk as our Messiah, Jesus, walked. That seems obvious. The challenge is we are not yet perfect. We fail from time to time. We can think our life is too challenging. We can let the routine of the day overwhelm us. And it doesn’t matter where we are. We can be here in the US where life in general is better than other parts of the world. Or we could be where resources are more scarce. Each person is challenged with the darkness trying to sway them. After all, we are all humans. Perhaps this is just one of the reasons why God tells us to band together to help each other. But we each have choices to make. I have been searching for God’s patterns, for the practical ways He has given us to combat the darkness, and find comfort in the light. This morning as I was reading in Ephesians I found something that brought me comfort.
Ephesians 5:1 Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children;
2 And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.
3 But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints;
4 Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks.
Here Paul is telling us what to abandon. He is naming some things that seem like obvious sin, and tells us not to let those be in us. What I saw for the first time is a key to getting rid of these things, and I suggest any temptation, when they come our way. Looking carefully at verse four at the end, he says, “but rather giving of thanks.” What Paul seems to be saying is that when these things come to us, we can reject them by giving thanks! For me, I knew there was power in being thankful, but until this morning I had no idea just how much power. Here we see that the giving thanks is the alternative, the weapon we can use. This also explains to me the power of living a thankful life. I also makes sense why giving thanks is mentioned so many times in places like the Psalms. This is comforting because we can now face these trials and temptations with a weapon that we know will disperse the enemy and the darkness! Praise God!
Today, if you face a trial or temptation, begin to thank God out loud. Imagine yourself fighting off the enemy when you do it, and watch what our Father will do for you today!
Prayer
Father, we praise and exalt You as our King. Thank You for dispelling the darkness that comes against us. Thank You for the healing You bring, the deliverance You bring, and the provision You bring! You alone are worthy of our praise. Let us be a sign for good, that all men might know that You alone are God, You alone are King. In Jesus’ (Yeshua’s) name. Amen.