The struggle and the encouragement
This morning I read a blog post that so encouraged me because of the honesty of the writer concerning her walk with the Lord. She shared her struggle regarding being consistent in her Bible reading plan (read post here). As I read "Hiding from God" (the title of the post), I had to admit that I also struggle to faithfully get into God's word on a daily basis.
With so many distractions - both good and bad - I often cave and end up neglecting my time with the Lord, yet assure myself that I will get back to reading later. But, disappointed, at the end of the day I realize that I failed completely to do that. Guilt ensues and I think about how I might succeed - perhaps if I read a different plan or a devotional book or this or that - how I might be more consistent to sit at Jesus feet.
But old habits die hard. It's not like I never get into God's word. But missing even one day a week (or more) impresses on me again that I've missed out on communing with Him that day. And what a loss that is!
But there's hope and help - God's grace
However, there's hope! But that hope doesn't come at all from me. I flows from Yahweh's gracious heart. When I fail, I'm learning to rest in the fact that the Lord, by His gracious love, keeps me and continues to love me. This short life isn't about how I will triumph, but about how Christ has triumphed over my failures, over death and sin. It is knowing that He is not surprised or caught off guard when I don't get this Christian life right. His grace has already covered my failings. His grace is sufficient for me.
My failings just emphasize the Lord's unending and amazing grace all the more. At 76 years of age, I never cease to be stunned that He has forgiven me yet again! What a Saviors! He continues to save us from ourselves and our failures daily.
Avery helpful resource
One of the best remedies to the crippling guilt that can derail us over our failures, is to get a really good picture in the truth of God's word concerning our gracious Lord. This help came to me in the form of a great book written for such struggles. Jerry Bridges has so adequately written about God's grace to sinners in his book, "The Discipline of Grace". Though I haven't intended this post to be a book review, I do have to testify to how it has helped me understand what is so foreign to our human nature and experience on this globe - the unimaginable grace of God.
Psalm 27:4
In the near future, I also intend to write a post about Psalm 27:4-6 that has been the go-to Scripture passage for what I desire in this life. Though I adopted this text long ago, the Lord recently impressed on me a greater application than I have held over the years. This too has been so very helpful regarding the subject matter of this post - failing to be consistent daily in God's word.
Share This
Jesus Christ has been my Savior since 1975. Robert, the wonderful man that
God provided to love me has been my husband for 48 of those years. We have five grown children, with children of their own. Of course, that means that we have grandchildren - ten to be exact, and nine great-grandchildren with another one on the way. I have been a stay-at-home mom, sometimes helping to supplement the income from within the home. Now I am a stay-at-home grandmother. Jesus Christ has been my guide and keeper and I have found, in all the trials, heartbreaks and good times that He just keeps getting sweeter and sweeter as the years roll by. My future is secure and I look forward to eternity in the presence of my Creator, Redeemer and King.
Posts
.jpg)
0 comments:
Post a Comment