I must get up early for quiet time. I have been neglecting this spiritual discipline and my spirit is nutty.
I am empty and looking at the things that I see, the things I feel rather than the focusing the eyes of my heart on the Unseen and those things that Holy God promises.
Yesterday, I was up at 5:45 am, and the dogs stayed in their beds. A mighty miracle in itself! I tip-toed to my desk, picked up John MacArthur’s Daily Bible, and read the appointed Scripture, not something I routinely do, but on this occasion, I was moved to start fresh with this Bible.
Jeremiah 31:21 says to direct your mind to the highway, the way by which you went.
Matthew Henry’s Commentary explains, They must return the same way that they went, that the remembrance of sorrows which attended them might make them the more thankful for their deliverance.
I must return to quiet moments with God. This is where I learned of Him, grew to love Him, and developed spiritually. These disciplined encounters with God were nurtured by His hand, His drawing, His providence, for His purposes. In my sin, I have neglected my duty which, in His perfect timing, turned into my only joy and hope. It was this reward of joy and hope that kept calling me back into His ever-loving Truth!
What turned my heart towards the heavenly Father in the first place? Yes, it was sorrow! I was lost in the things of this world; I was handed an enormous bag of injustice and it was too big for me to carry and dispose of. I sat with the weight of it and lost who I am in Christ. In my wayward elementary prayers, the weight was gradually lifted and I was set free from its hold. I am filled with new life, treasures from heaven and I am shown new things, gifts that overshadowed my grief, disappointment, and anger. God changed the pain into the glory!
…to grant to those who mourn in Zion–
to give them a beautiful headdress instead of ashes,
the oil of gladness instead of mourning,
the garment of praise instead of a faint spirit;
that they may be called oaks of righteousness,
the planting of the LORD that He may be glorified (Isa. 61:3).
And for this, I am thankful! I am thankful for His mercy and grace, His love and perseverance! He is My Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!
…those who departed into the bondage of sin must return to the duties they neglected–must do their first works. Set thy heart towards the highway. The way from Babylon to Zion, from the bondage of sin to the glorious liberty of God’s children (Matthew Henry; Jer. 31).
Oh, praise God forever and in this special revelation, upon realization of my sin, I did not immediately set out on a course of self-punishment, legalism, and unattainable plans. Ms. Fix-It does not have this as she once thought she did. No, God has got this.
For I know the plans I have for you,
declares the LORD, plans for welfare and
not for evil,
to give you a future and a hope (Jer. 29:11).
He has changed my heart! He has stopped me in my tracks and I am able to discern the Holy Spirit’s urgings, “Return to your God, your Bible, and your time of prayer for He is your strength!”
The LORD sets prisoners free;
The LORD opens the eyes of the blind.
The LORD lifts up those who are bowed down;
The LORD loves the righteous.
The LORD watches over the sojourners;
He upholds the widow and the fatherless,
but the way of the wicked He brings to ruin.
The LORD will reign forever,
Your God, O Zion, to all generations.
Praise the LORD (Ps. 146:8-10).
Yes, praise the LORD for repentance, Praise the LORD for forgiveness of sins. Praise the LORD for victory. No longer are the regenerated roaming endlessly in the dark. We are held securely in the hand of Jesus. His grasp so tight, we could not escape if we tried. Once His, always His!! Once saved, always saved!! We are saved from our wretched selves. We have a one-way ticket to eternal glory. Hallelujah!
Turn thou me and I shall be turned.
Heal me and I shall be healed…
All the pious workings in our heart towards God
are the consequences of the working of His grace in us.
Those that departed into the bondage of sin must return
to the duties they neglected–
must do their first works…
When God calls,
we must not plead any inability to come;
for He that calls us will strengthen us (Matthew Henry; Jer. 31).
Here I am Lord, by your power and by your good graces. You leave the ninety-nine on the mountain and go in search of the one that went astray (Matt. 18:12). You elect, seek out, and preserve not only Your church as a whole but also each individual within the church (Reformation Study Bible; Matt. 18:12-14).
Here I am Lord, guard me and guide me! Forgive me for thinking I knew the way. Forgive me for looking to the right and to the left. Set my mind on the things above. Renew a steadfast spirit within me. Create in me a clean heart and continue in your faithful work of sanctification so that I may be, one day, to the likeness of Jesus Christ. Thank you, and it is in your Son’s matchless name I pray, Amen!
Our Heavenly Prize 