05/28/2021
Oh, I pray that we would all be seen as letters from Christ. I pray that our hearts would contain the Word of God, written there by His mighty finger as it moves within us. I pray that we each make our hearts and spirits to be living tablets, spiritual scrolls, and that we open them to Him. When we turn our gaze inward I pray that we find His Word there. When those around us watch us living out our lives it is my deepest desire that they see the image of Jesus Christ, and hear God’s Word, alive, and powerful, as if read aloud, and echoing from the mountains, and through the valleys of our lives and beings. Do others see our faith thriving within us as their example, and edification as they walk the pilgrim’s path towards their own righteousness, and as they seek holiness, and perfection within themselves? Are these prayers rising from your heart today?
“And you show that you are a letter from Christ delivered by us, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts.”
2 Corinthians 3:3 ESV
There are men and women in each of our lives who carry God’s word etched into their hearts like calligraphy, and we can see it there from the very first moment we meet them. How is our vision when it comes to seeing these things? Mine is such that I need glasses to read street signs, and to see other things at a distance, but when I am holding a book, document, or even a cell phone, I can read them easily without any assistance whatsoever. When things are close to me I must take off my glasses to read what is written there. I have noticed that it is the same in my faith. I once needed help in reading the Word of God, but as I have drawn closer to Him, and He has started writing those Words on my heart, I no longer need my glasses… His Word has come into focus, and become perfectly clear. By pressing ever forward in my faith I am beginning to see the tiniest of creases on the hands of God. Is the Word of God written on your heart? Are you living out the words of Jesus as they abide within you? Bring them close, take them into yourself, and let God write them on your heart.
“So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.””
John 8:31-32 ESV
We are meant to be letters from Jesus, that are heard, and read by all those around us, and in being used in this manner, having the Word of God written on our hearts, we too will see clearly. When you turn inward, how is your heart today? Is it a blank slate, or filled with the ornately written, and flowing, Word of God? Can people see God’s Word in your mannerisms when they see you at a distance? Can they see it more clearly as you grow closer, and do they understand each word that you recite to them face to face? For this reason we are meant to draw near to the sinner whose vision is clouded by his sinfulness, and to those who have never heard the resonant sound of God’s Word echoing through the world. This is our calling. This is our blessing.
“Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 3:12-14 ESV
Prayer:
Father, thank you for your Holy Word, and for writing it on my heart so that I can see it clearly. Thank you Lord for those who come to you after seeing your Word as it is lived out in my life… read, obeyed, and being spoken aloud. Help me to not only be a page onto which you write, but alive in your Word as I sing your commandments into the world about me, and open my heart as a witness to your glory. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you my God who speaks through me, and uses me to accomplish your will. Praised be your name for abiding within me, and giving me a clear understanding of your Word and character. Merciful are you who reaches out to the world through the millions upon millions of believers who walk each day with your Word flowing from them. Your grace abounds Father, and flows over us as we become a living vessel for your Word. Write on my heart, speak through my mouth, and bless me in every way that you might use me for your glory. Wash me clean in the blood of Jesus, and remove every sin and blemish as your hand covers me, and your finger writes your Word into my heart. Find me worthy in Christ, and let my voice join the heavenly host in praising you, and announcing your glory to all of creation. Your Word, my heart, and the image of Jesus, for all eternity.
Rich Forbes