We…plead with you not to receive the grace of God in vain.
—2 Corinthians 6:1
{CHAMBERS} “The
grace you had yesterday will not be sufficient for today. Grace is the
overflowing favor of God, and you can always count on it being available to
draw upon as needed. “…in much patience, in tribulations, in needs, in
distresses”— that is where our patience is tested (2 Corinthians 6:4). Are you
failing to rely on the grace of God there? […] We tend to make prayer the
preparation for our service, yet it is never that in the Bible. Prayer is the
practice of drawing on the grace of God. Don’t say, “I will endure this until I
can get away and pray.” Pray now — draw on the grace of God in your moment of
need. Prayer is the most normal and useful thing; it is not simply a reflex
action of your devotion to God. We are very slow to learn to draw on God’s
grace through prayer.”
{ELGIN} Living
your new life in Christ requires constant focus on the One who has given you that
new life. (2 Corinthians 4:16-18) “Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet
inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary
troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So
we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen
is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” The fact is that most of us spend
very little time each day focused on our spiritual nature – the unseen – the eternal. Instead we are consumed with the natural life
and all of the challenges it brings.
Relying on and drawing on the grace of God to endure and prosper in a
sin-sick world. Listen – there are not “magic
words” that you can keep in your pocket until the time of trouble comes. Living a successful life – success from the
Father’s perspective – meaning that you are living the natural life in the
confidence that comes from making your spiritual life and relationship with the
Father through the Son by faith in the power of the Spirit and His Word.
(Joshua 1:8-9) “Keep
this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that
you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous
and successful. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be
afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever
you go.”
These are the words spoken by God to Joshua when Joshua was
established as the leader who would take the nation of Israel into the promised
land. Recall that Joshua and Caleb were
the only men among the 12 spies who were sent into the land by Moses. The only two who saw the natural from God’s perspective.
Although they saw giants like the others had – they saw the power of God as
greater. Like David – when he confronted
Goliath. All three saw the world in the
context of who God is. And the same is true
for us. Is your heart totally devoted to
God? Only you can answer that question.
It should be – it is what God desires – even commands. And it is for your own good and for God’s
glory.
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