“But now thus says the Lord, He who created you, O Jacob, He who formed you, O Israel: ‘Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine,’” Isaiah 43:1 (ESV). Though each of us were foreseen and created in love by our Heavenly Father, we often doubt both His love and attention. Yet Isaiah 1:3 tells us, “The ox knows its owner and the donkey its master's crib, but Israel does not know, my people do not understand.” Maybe being “dumb as an ox” or “as stubborn as a donkey” isn’t so bad after all! These questions must be settled. My life is not my own, I am His. Therefore, I will stubbornly cling to side of the Master, no matter what comes. The work he puts before me I must do; I’m designed for it, He empowers me to accomplish it, feeds me along the way and rewards me with His care. I am His, He calls me by name! LORD, place in the fields of Your choosing. I delight to fulfill my created purpose.
A serious pursuit of godliness requires an equally serious renunciation of worldliness. Too often, we measure spirituality with false scales. While being wisely selective with our public vices we are less so with our private attitudes and perspectives. In reality, it is the thoughts and intents of the heart where the greatest battles must be waged; our actions will ultimately align with the condition of our hearts. Lord God, You know me inside out, You are not fooled by human facades. Plow my heart with Your Word and Spirit and leave nothing unturned. Refresh my inward man that I may outwardly glorify You in all places at all times.
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