A turning back to old ways.
Idols. Wrath. Correction. Rejection.
Old Testament–Jeremiah.
9 Again the Lord spoke to me and said, “I have discovered a conspiracy against me among the people of Judah and Jerusalem. 10 They have returned to the sins of their ancestors. They have refused to listen to me and are worshiping other gods. Israel and Judah have both broken the covenant I made with their ancestors. Jeremiah 11:9-10, NLT.
New Testament–2 Corinthians. Paul warns about what he fears he’ll find.
20 For I am afraid that when I come I won’t like what I find, and you won’t like my response. I am afraid that I will find quarreling, jealousy, anger, selfishness, slander, gossip, arrogance, and disorderly behavior. 2 Corinthians 12:20, NLT.
A turning back to old ways.
What are my old ways? What has been hard-wired into my heart–unforgiveness, grudge … pride, chocolate?
Lord, it’s only by your power that this heart will change. When my first response takes me back to old ways, your whisper says, “Forgiveness, grace … humility, self-control.”
Paul speaks of weakness and of strength, and I try to understand it.
“So to keep me from becoming proud, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger from Satan to torment me and keep me from becoming proud.
8 Three different times I begged the Lord to take it away. 9 Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. 10 That’s why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” 2 Corinthians 12:7b-10, NLT.
Why do I not rely on Your power more?
O Lord of Heaven’s Armies,
you make righteous judgments,
and you examine the deepest thoughts and secrets.
Let me see your vengeance against them,
for I have committed my cause to you. Jeremiah 11:20, NLT
Lord, I commit my cause to you–the heartaches, the relationships, the weaknesses … I lay these things down at your feet.
Courtney (66books365)
Sixty-six books in a year 