Monday, August 29, 2011

Road Signs and Guideposts - part 1

Set up road signs; put up guideposts.  Mark well the path by which you came...

Jeremiah 31:21 (NLT)

I seem to get detoured a lot on my journey with the Lord.  Easily distracted...  A short attention span...  I am so grateful that the Lord does not find it irksome to keep teaching me, often the same things, over and over again (see Philippians 3:1).  Seeing as we're told to set up road signs and mark well the path that we've travelled by, it seemed fitting to set up these guideposts in a place where you might find them helpful to you as you journey.

I didn't walk in victory much yesterday.  Instead, I was distracted by worrying about things beyond my control - about "what if's" that may never come to be.  I gave in to the shifting sands of emotions like dismay and discouragement rather than building my "house" on the solid rock of God's Word (see Matthew 7:24-29).  I woke later than I intended this morning.  I was tired and chose to roll over a time or two.  The whole truth is that my heart condemned me and hid myself like Adam and Eve when God came to visit with me (see Genesis 3).  It's a long road that I'm marking this morning, but if you ever struggle with condemnation, I invite you to grab your Bible and follow these signs...

By this we shall know that we are of the truth and reassure our heart before him; for whenever our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and he knows everything. 1 John 3:19-20 (ESV)

For the sake of your name, O LORD, forgive my iniquity, though it is great. Psalm 25:11 (NIV)

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.  1 John 1:9 (ESV)

I heard the whisper, "you'll never get this right.  You'll fall again."  I hate that I give the accuser of the brethren so much ammunition, but why am I giving him an audience?  According to Zechariah 3 God doesn't!

I was given another vision. This time Joshua the high priest was standing in front of the LORD's angel. And there was Satan, standing at Joshua's right side, ready to accuse him. But the LORD said, "Satan, you are wrong. Jerusalem is my chosen city, and this man was rescued like a stick from a flaming fire."  Zechariah 3:1-2

LORD, You've plucked me from the fire and I belong to You!  My righteousness is like filthy rags (see Isaiah 64:6) but You have clothed me in Your righteousness and You tell me that that is something to "behold".

Now Joshua was standing before the angel, clothed with filthy garments. And the angel said to those who were standing before him, "Remove the filthy garments from him." And to him he said, "Behold, I have taken your iniquity away from you, and I will clothe you with pure vestments." And I said, "Let them put a clean turban on his head." So they put a clean turban on his head and clothed him with garments.  Zechariah 3:3-5 (ESV)

let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.  Hebrews 10:22

LORD, I am not what I'd like to be for You, but You think I'm lovely!  (see Song of Songs 1:5-6, 8)


My beloved speaks and says to me: "Arise, my love, my beautiful one, and come away..." Song of Songs 2:10
 
LORD, Satisfy us in the morning with your steadfast love,that we may rejoice and be glad all our days.  Psalm 90:14 (ESV)

LORD, You have proclaimed freedom for me this morning.  You have removed from me a spirit of despair and replaced it with gladness!  The very things promised to us because of Jesus!  Blessed be Your Name, O LORD!  (see Isaiah 61:1-3)

(watch for part 2 to show us what we can do as a result)