01/22/2023
Our Lord does not want us to wander lost through life. He calls us to Himself through His Son Jesus Christ, and guides us with His Holy Spirit. No matter where we are in life He is there watching over us. Our Father teaches us as we follow Jesus, and gives us understanding through His Spirit. So, with all God’s love, and His personal instruction, education, and guidance, what is our excuse for wandering lost, not understanding who He is, or feeling alone?
“I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you.”
Psalm 32:8 ESV
Whether we are children, or adults, and are going to school, there are certain subjects that come easy to us, while others are difficult and we find ourselves struggling or even failing at. Some of the better learning institutions provide tutoring, or one on one help, for their students, and with that personal instruction the once impossible lessons become easy. With someone to guide us, help us understand, and sit with us personally to teach us the material, even the hardest lessons can be mastered. God does this for us, but even though His personal attention is available to us we still must avail ourselves of His help… we must believe that what is being taught is worth learning.
“In the path of your judgments, O Lord, we wait for you; your name and remembrance are the desire of our soul. 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 26:8-9 ESV
Do we read scripture and find we are unable to understand it, or that it is asking something of us that we believe is too hard for us to give? Perhaps we love some worldly sin so much that we don’t see the benefit in giving it up, or we face a temptation that catches us in its web over and over again until we finally abandon all hope of conquering it. We seek out and read the scripture regarding temptation, and yet we don’t know how God helps us, or provides us with an escape.
“No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.”
1 Corinthians 10:13 ESV
Haven’t we all been in such difficult situations in our own lives, and stumbled over the hard lessons time and time again? Well, the key to overcoming them springs from faith, not losing heart, walking with Jesus, and listening to the Holy Spirit. If we can do this then we will not be defeated despite the affliction we feel, and our spiritual persistence will win out over our bodily failures.
“We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies.”
2 Corinthians 4:8-10 ESV
We are told to lean on God, and that not only is He with us always, but so is Jesus, and the Holy Spirit. Our help comes from the Lord, and He has given us these additional helpers as well. All of them are unfailing and are with us always; they are our saviors, tutors in faith, righteousness, and holiness. So, this is where help comes from as we struggle in our faith, and they will never abandon us.
God tells us He is with us…
“fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
Isaiah 41:10 ESV
Jesus tells us He is with us…
“teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.””
Matthew 28:20 ESV
The Holy Spirit is with us…
“And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you.”
John 14:16-17 ESV
Are we able to fail, and fail, and fail again without conceding defeat to our sin? Is our desire to be righteous strong enough that we will continue to repent, and ask forgiveness until we have perfected our ability to resist temptation, or understand God’s Word and commandments? Will we seek help from the Lord, instruction from Jesus, and understanding from the Holy Spirit? Or, will we turn away from the help that God has provided us?
Prayer:
Father, thank you for the love that you have for us that was is great that you sent your Son Jesus to live, suffer, die, and be resurrected for us. Thank you for all He taught us while He walked among us, and thank you for giving us your Holy Spirit to bring us understanding, remembrance, and help in praying when we haven’t the words. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you our God who wishes that none should fail, but that all be saved. Praised be your name for every temptation we are taught to resist, and every sin that is put behind us. Merciful are you Father for the boundless grace we receive from you, and for your Son and Spirit who teach us and lead us to eternity with you. Father, wash us clean in the blood of your Son Jesus, and cleanse us of all our sin. Transform us Lord from the fallen souls we once were into the perfect image of Christ; perfected in Him, and prepared to stand before you on Judgement Day. Call us worthy on that day and seat us at your table forevermore… eternal, and eternally in your presence.
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord, and turn away from evil. It will be healing to your flesh and refreshment to your bones.”
Proverbs 3:5-8 ESV
“The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.”
2 Peter 3:9 ESV
Rich Forbes