Thoughts in Worship

Message Magazine's Online Devotional for Friday, February 16, 2018

Audio Link: https://www.spreaker.com/user/reachmanyradio/thoughts-in-worship-02-16-2018

This is devotional thought number 12 in our devotional series titled, “Wisdom for the Ages.”

“Be not wise in thine own eyes: Fear the Lord, and depart from evil. It shall be health to thy navel, And marrow to thy bones.” (Proverbs 3:7–8).

If you want to have a healthy mind, body, and spiritual life, respect God with a all your heart, accept His power to depart from all sorts of evil, and give thanks for His goodness. This is a great start.

One of the problems with which human beings must contend is our pride. We must be honest with ourselves about the “why” of all our actions. When we seek to provide excellent service at work, is it because we want our names in lights as the highest performer or employee of the month? When we go for higher academic studies, is it so people can put us on a pedestal and tell us how brilliant we are? When we help those who have less than we do at the moment, is it to accomplish our good deed for the day or be spotted by local news cameras, to be seen as the “Good Samaritan” with little actual regard for those we help? When we do spiritual things like preach, teach, baptize, etc., is it to rescue the perishing and give honor to God for His goodness, or to increase our persons saved stats? Everything we do must be under the scrutiny of God’s unerring standard of righteousness, which exposes our motives.

I realize this is a high standard, but it is written that we must be holy because God is holy. While an incorrect perspective on this thought would cause fear or self-defeating thoughts, the reality is that we are in prime position to glorify God more when the standard is so far out of range that we must rely on Him every step of the way. This is a blessing to us. When we choose to abandon our own wisdom, abilities, accomplishments, and aspirations in exchange for God’s we cannot fail. Instead of human success at work, we achieve God’s level of success, which transcends our highest hopes. When we apply ourselves to higher studies, instead of simply receiving another degree, we receive that and a calling into God’s service to change the world! When we help others with God’s will as our focus, instead of merely supplying a need and receiving personal satisfaction or a pat on the back from others, we are feeding, clothing, helping, serving, and loving the needy as if they were Jesus Himself. All of this and more, when done through the power of the Holy Spirit, and not by brute force of will or human ingenuity, brings more power from heaven than we can imagine and health in every area of our lives. Those who rely upon God in every area of life are staying connected to Him. Those who are connected to Him have His power flowing through our lives at all times. When His power is flowing through us, we cannot help but to be energized even when times are difficult.

Exchange your own wisdom and human motivations for God’s perfect will in all areas of your life, and experience a vigor of life that will amaze you.

A word to the foolish is wasteful. A word to the wise is sufficient.—L. David Harris (www.LDavidHarris.com)