But my mouth would encourage you; comfort from my lips would bring you relief.
Job 16:5 (NIV)
In What Do You Glory? by Cathy Vinson |
What is it we glory
in? a good week, a strong ministry, hard work, a sense of purpose? It's hard to fault
these, but do they enter into our worship? Paul gives us clarity: "we who worship by the Spirit of God..." The Pharisee of Luke 18:11 came into God's house with worship in his heart, but it was "about himself." It's possible for any of us to do this. But no matter how our week's been, we can enjoy the Spirit's willingness to worship Jesus. We are grateful to partake of this shared spiritual privilege with others. "who glory in Christ Jesus..." He is marvelous in our eyes (Mk 12:11)! The focus of our worship is realized. He's beautiful, and we've been granted access into His chambers (S of S 1:4). We stand humbly grateful for eyes to behold. "who put no confidence in the flesh." There is no question here: "no confidence," that is, not any. Here we must beware. Paul's choice of rejected attainments in this passage sheds light on what we easily put confidence in. Is it the family name we have been born into, our education, our ability to keep the 10 Commandments, our zeal, our disciplined lifestyle? Let us bring no self-deception to the altar of God. Glory only in God and the privilege granted you to worship, not in yourself. "For it is by grace that you have been saved, and that NOT of yourselves. It is the gift of God" (Eph 2:8). Do not return from the altar having only prayed to yourself, and worse yet, returning unjustified (Lk 18:14). |
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| "...we
who worship by the Spirit of God, who glory in Christ Jesus, and who put no confidence in
the flesh."
(Phil 3:3) |
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Send a note to Cathy Vinson , the writer of this devotion.
Other Whispers from the Wilderness Devotions are found HERE
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