01/04/2021
We should yearn for God all the hours of the day and night, not only for our own soul’s sake, but for His righteousness to become the unquenchable thirst of the world. As we slip into our night’s slumber the Lord should be our comforter, and in the rest he provides us we should demonstrate His peace to the world. When we open our eyes each morning they should behold our ongoing witness, and a vision of Jesus Christ given to all the world as He works through us. Whether in slumber or awake His righteousness should be our greatest desire for the world, and His glory in Christ that pours from us the gift of salvation for all mankind.
“My soul yearns for you in the night; my spirit within me earnestly seeks you. For when your judgments are in the earth, the inhabitants of the world learn righteousness.”
Isaiah 26:9 ESV
Not every encounter with God is pleasant, especially for those who choose not to love, worship, and obey Him. He punishes His enemies, and by His rod He corrects His children. Therefore it should be our great desire, and earnest prayer that the eyes of the unrighteous open swiftly to God’s goodness, and that His mercy becomes apparent to them in all of its glory. Our deepest longing should be for every soul to know God’s Word, the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and to obey readily the commandments made known there.
“If favor is shown to the wicked, he does not learn righteousness; in the land of uprightness he deals corruptly and does not see the majesty of the Lord.”
Isaiah 26:10 ESV
When we close our eyes at night, satisfied with our efforts to reveal God and Jesus Christ during the day, we can rest in comfort and peace, but when we have not made known the truth of the Father when the opportunity to save a soul was presented to us, then we will toss and turn all the night long. When we are willing and obedient partners as God is using us, and doing His work for us during the day, then our spirit is at ease, and we find perfect peace in our faithfulness.
“You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.
O Lord, you will ordain peace for us, for you have indeed done for us all our works.”
Isaiah 26:3, 12 ESV
So today as we make ourselves willing instruments that God can use to accomplish his will, let it be known that His good pleasure in us by day allows us to experience His perfect peace and rest by night. He restores the bodily strength of those who exert their effort in His service, and restores the soul of those who serve Him for His name’s sake. Are we ready to be used in this way and restored completely as a result?
“He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.”
Psalm 23:3 ESV
Prayer:
Father, thank you for taking me into your hand as a tool of your righteousness. Thank you for satisfying the yearning I have to be your emissary to those in the world who do not know you, or understand the gospel of your Son Jesus. Let my day be bathed in your glory as I serve you, and love you with all my heart, soul, mind, and strength. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you who works the ointment of your righteousness into the hardened leather of souls which are lost, and carves into them the humble image of Christ. Praised be your name as you use me like a skilled craftsman... dipping me like a cloth into your sweet oil to soften hearts, and using me as a sharp edged chisel, to reveal the face of Christ in souls as you perform your handiwork. You are merciful Lord as you redeem the lost through Jesus, and restore the hearts of those who have become hardened in their faith. Your grace is sufficient, and softens the hearts of those who hear. Perform your work for me, and by using me, so that I can have your peace and rest in my nightly slumber. Give me sweet dreams of your righteousness to rock me gently through the violent storms that come in the night. Hear my prayers Father, and know me to be worthy when I come before you with Jesus as my intercessor. Seat me at your table, and feed me Father from the storehouses laid up by your harvest, while using me in your hand as your chosen tool to work your fields each day.
Rich Forbes