Reluctant
Lord,
I'm reluctant to give this up. This sin. This selfishness. This time, money, fear, health, person, etc.
Help me trust you as the generous, gracious giver--the One who rewards those who seek him (Heb. 11:6). Sometimes I confess I see you as the One who strips, who demands. But this is not you; it is a god of my own making, a god springing from the ways of this dog-eat-dog and tit-for-tat graceless world. It is a god who springs up from my own heart's desire to depend on myself, to present myself with something, to prove myself. You are a God of grace and generosity--when I dwell on this, I am amazed. You are the Rewarder; you are the Reward yourself and you reveal yourself to me. What a joy and privilege!
"God, who gives generously to all..." (James 1:5).
"If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?" (Rom. 8:31-32).
Help me value you as more precious. David says your love is better than life and one day in your presence is better than a thousand elsewhere. Lord, I get so caught up in the little things of this world sometimes, in the little pay-offs of sin (that bite later), the comfort, control, security that time and money seem to offer, the privileges of health, etc. Lord--what a sin against you! Saying these are richer, more satisfying than you! Help me see you--see you in your glory, your preciousness, your value. Help me love you more than what I cling to, be it action or thing.
"For a day in your courts is better than a thousand elsewhere" (Ps. 84:10).
"Because your steadfast love is better than life, my lips will praise you" (Ps. 63:3).
Help me hear your words of grace. When I realize my reluctance to give something up, I confess I expect judgment. I deserve judgment; I have told you, the very God of the Universe, the Creator Of All Things, The Most Supreme Valuable, the King of Glory, the Consuming Fire, the All In All, My God and Master and Lord that you are worth less than this action, this thing, this earthly good. What a horror when I realize it! But you, you in your grace, have paid for my reluctance and rebellion. You give words of grace. Help me hear those and love you even more.
Help me see you helping me overcome my reluctance. To feel your Spirit cultivating the love for the Father and the intimate relationship with you in my heart (Rom. 5:5; John 17:20-26). It is something I cannot do in myself. The Spirit himself helps me see your glory and love you more (1 Cor. 4:6). Thank you. Thank you that you can create these desires in my heart when I plead with you to change them (Ezra 7:27; Neh. 2:12; Neh. 7:5; 1 Chron. 29:18; Ps. 4:7; Jer. 32:40; Ezek. 11:19; 2 Cor. 8:16; 2 Thes. 3:5; Hb. 10:16).
"O Lord, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, our fathers, keep forever such purposes and thoughts in the hearts of your people and direct their hearts toward you" (1 Chron. 29:18).
Thank you that you understand and know my temptations. You faced them, and you overcame any temptation. You filled the Father's will perfectly. More amazingly, you have given me your righteousness--I am reluctant, but you have imputed to me your desire to do the Father's will, your food (Jn. 4:34). You have impute to me your perfect listening and doing of his will (Jn. 5:19). You have given me this in my union with you!!! Your life is my life; and I am becoming more like you. It is not just a better-me living, but you living in me (Gal. 2:19-20). Help me grow up into you (Eph. 4:15).
"For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need" (Heb. 4:15-16).
Thank you that you understand, and give words to help me express my reluctance and to grow in you, to cry out to you.
"Make me to know your ways, O LORD; teach me your paths. Lead me in your truth and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation; for you I wait all the day long. Remember your mercy, O LORD, and your steadfast love, for they have been from of old. Remember not the sins of my youth or my transgressions, according to your steadfast love remember me, for the sake of your goodness, O LORD! Good and upright is the LORD; therefore he instructs sinners in the way...." (Ps. 25:5-8).
"My soul clings to the dust; give me life according to your word! When I told of my ways, you answered me; teach me your statutes! Make me understand the way of your precepts, and I will meditate on your wondrous works. My soul melts away for sorrow; strengthen me according to your word! Put false ways far from me and graciously teach me your law!" (Ps. 119:25-29).
Thank you. Thank you. In Jesus' name, Amen.
I'm reluctant to give this up. This sin. This selfishness. This time, money, fear, health, person, etc.
Help me trust you as the generous, gracious giver--the One who rewards those who seek him (Heb. 11:6). Sometimes I confess I see you as the One who strips, who demands. But this is not you; it is a god of my own making, a god springing from the ways of this dog-eat-dog and tit-for-tat graceless world. It is a god who springs up from my own heart's desire to depend on myself, to present myself with something, to prove myself. You are a God of grace and generosity--when I dwell on this, I am amazed. You are the Rewarder; you are the Reward yourself and you reveal yourself to me. What a joy and privilege!
"God, who gives generously to all..." (James 1:5).
"If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?" (Rom. 8:31-32).
Help me value you as more precious. David says your love is better than life and one day in your presence is better than a thousand elsewhere. Lord, I get so caught up in the little things of this world sometimes, in the little pay-offs of sin (that bite later), the comfort, control, security that time and money seem to offer, the privileges of health, etc. Lord--what a sin against you! Saying these are richer, more satisfying than you! Help me see you--see you in your glory, your preciousness, your value. Help me love you more than what I cling to, be it action or thing.
"For a day in your courts is better than a thousand elsewhere" (Ps. 84:10).
"Because your steadfast love is better than life, my lips will praise you" (Ps. 63:3).
Help me hear your words of grace. When I realize my reluctance to give something up, I confess I expect judgment. I deserve judgment; I have told you, the very God of the Universe, the Creator Of All Things, The Most Supreme Valuable, the King of Glory, the Consuming Fire, the All In All, My God and Master and Lord that you are worth less than this action, this thing, this earthly good. What a horror when I realize it! But you, you in your grace, have paid for my reluctance and rebellion. You give words of grace. Help me hear those and love you even more.
Help me see you helping me overcome my reluctance. To feel your Spirit cultivating the love for the Father and the intimate relationship with you in my heart (Rom. 5:5; John 17:20-26). It is something I cannot do in myself. The Spirit himself helps me see your glory and love you more (1 Cor. 4:6). Thank you. Thank you that you can create these desires in my heart when I plead with you to change them (Ezra 7:27; Neh. 2:12; Neh. 7:5; 1 Chron. 29:18; Ps. 4:7; Jer. 32:40; Ezek. 11:19; 2 Cor. 8:16; 2 Thes. 3:5; Hb. 10:16).
"O Lord, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, our fathers, keep forever such purposes and thoughts in the hearts of your people and direct their hearts toward you" (1 Chron. 29:18).
Thank you that you understand and know my temptations. You faced them, and you overcame any temptation. You filled the Father's will perfectly. More amazingly, you have given me your righteousness--I am reluctant, but you have imputed to me your desire to do the Father's will, your food (Jn. 4:34). You have impute to me your perfect listening and doing of his will (Jn. 5:19). You have given me this in my union with you!!! Your life is my life; and I am becoming more like you. It is not just a better-me living, but you living in me (Gal. 2:19-20). Help me grow up into you (Eph. 4:15).
"For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need" (Heb. 4:15-16).
Thank you that you understand, and give words to help me express my reluctance and to grow in you, to cry out to you.
"Make me to know your ways, O LORD; teach me your paths. Lead me in your truth and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation; for you I wait all the day long. Remember your mercy, O LORD, and your steadfast love, for they have been from of old. Remember not the sins of my youth or my transgressions, according to your steadfast love remember me, for the sake of your goodness, O LORD! Good and upright is the LORD; therefore he instructs sinners in the way...." (Ps. 25:5-8).
"My soul clings to the dust; give me life according to your word! When I told of my ways, you answered me; teach me your statutes! Make me understand the way of your precepts, and I will meditate on your wondrous works. My soul melts away for sorrow; strengthen me according to your word! Put false ways far from me and graciously teach me your law!" (Ps. 119:25-29).
Thank you. Thank you. In Jesus' name, Amen.
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