CHRIST
Devotional: Instruction
Psalm 32:8 says, I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you. Jesus, the Word made flesh, the One full of grace and truth, avails Himself to us through the divine inspiration of Scripture. As we open up our Bibles, pray for wisdom and allow the Holy Spirit to guide us, we are transformed into the likeness of Christ by the power and truth of His Word.
But there is more. We are not only transformed into Christ-likeness, we also grow in our faith as we receive instruction from the Bible. Romans10:17 says, So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ. Our faith is established and perfected from hearing the truth from God’s Word. Charles Spurgeon expressed his conviction about praying the Scriptures this way, “Every promise of Scripture is a writing of God, which may be pleaded before Him with this reasonable request, ‘Do as Thou has said!’ The Creator will not cheat the creature who depends upon His truth; and far more, the Heavenly Father will not break His Word to His own children.”
How often do you allow the Word of God to penetrate your heart and mind during prayer? What about praying Scripture; is that a regular pattern of prayer for you? As we focus our thoughts on the instruction we receive from Christ over the next several days, it will be a powerful thing for us as a community of believers at Warren Baptist Church to pray the same Scriptures daily. There is nothing like praying the Word of God back to Him. Our words do not have power, but the Word of Christ is living and active. It is sharper than any two-edge sword. It pierces and divides, exposes and discerns. It is a microscope for the soul revealing the intentions of our hearts. (Hebrews 4:12)
For who has understood the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him?” But we have the mind of Christ. – 1 Corinthians 2:16
Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. – Psalm 119:105
Instruct us: Thank God for the gift of His Son, Jesus, the living Word. Ask God to give believers the mind of Christ. Ask for understanding, wisdom, and incomprehensible knowledge of the Word. Give God access to your heart and mind, asking Him to discern and reveal the intentions of your heart.
Remember that tomorrow is our third day of fasting.