by David Brenneman
In reading in Deuteronomy today and also in Proverbs 30...it really became clearer that even Christians can repeat the mistakes of the children of Israel.
We can indeed forget from where we came.
We can forget from what we've been delivered.
We can forget to keep ourselves holy, separated, from a life of sin.
We can forget the lessons taught to us by the Spirit of God.
We can neglect to read our Bible and not remember the promises of God.
We're not immune to falling short, falling down, falling away from what we're to be and were taught to be like.
"Now for this very reason also, applying all diligence, in your faith supply moral excellence, and in your moral excellence, knowledge, and in your knowledge, self-control, and in your self-control, perseverance, and in your perseverance, godliness, and in your godliness, brotherly kindness, and in your brotherly kindness, love. For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they render you neither useless nor unfruitful in the true knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ." 2 Peter 1:5-8.
We have, like they, a beyond fantastic opportunity to live the righteous life that God desires for us if only we as well would walk by faith and not by sight.
It's incredibly tempting after such a long period of unemployment to be careless. Yet the lessons learned are still with us. I am grateful and thankful for all that I get to do these days. The great people that are now in my work life. The Believers in my life all around. The family where the ties that bind have grown stronger.
Yet we read: "Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him. Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God”; for God cannot be tempted by evil, and He Himself does not tempt anyone. But each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust. Then when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and when sin is accomplished, it brings forth death. Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren. Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow." James 1:12-17.
Temptations will come. Some decorated as nice shiny things other will be as a fishing lure that hides a hook inside.
The same as they were tempted so shall we be.
"fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." Hebrews 12:2.
We have before us the opportunity to grow in Christ, to run the race set before us, to finish well.
So had they but each had turned aside to do whatever was right in their own eyes.
Pray for your walk with Jesus.
Pray for your spiritual eyes to be open.
Pray for your obedience in Christ to be complete.
Pray that whatever you are shown by the Spirit that needs to be changed that you would not shrink away but would change in accordance to the will of God for you in Christ Jesus.
All NASB Scripture Excerpts used by permission.
New American Standard Bible
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