Just take the next right step. Do what needs to be done. Let go and let God. What if all I want to do is scream for what can never be, crawl back to bed and sleep for eternity, or sit and stare at the world as the hours circle the clock face? The Apostle Paul wrote in Romans 7:22, 23, “For I delight in the law of God according to the inward man. But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members.” Shameful double mindedness. On the other hand, an example of single mindedness is illustrated in I Kings 2. Solomon was instructed by his father David before the King’s death to exact punishment on several powerful men in the kingdom. Young King Solomon recognized their conspiracies and dealt severely with these men, which brought peace to the kingdom through fulfillment of God’s judgment. Are the instructions given to me any less important than those David left for Solomon? Has God given me a brain and the freedom to follow His instructions, or am I fated to watch what little I cling to drift away as dust gathering in the corners of an empty room?
The war within me to follow God’s will is no less violent and the outcome no less important to my sanity and legacy and soul’s security. As Paul cries out in Romans 7:24, 25, so do I. “O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? I thank God – through Jesus Christ our Lord!”
If I had to choose to walk daily in all that I believe God would have me do – without seeing God’s new mercies every morning, without reading the love of Christ assured through His words, and without the supernatural and inexplicable work of the Holy Spirit – I could not. Yet, how amazing is David’s prayer for God’s people. Man is weak, but God will place even the motivation to do His will when we pray. David writes, “Keep this forever in the intent of the thoughts of the heart of Your people and fix their heart toward You. And give my son Solomon a loyal heart to keep Your commandments and Your testimonies and Your statutes, to do all these things…” I Chronicles 29:18
May God place His instructions in the intentions of my heart so that it is not I who lives, but Christ who dwells within me. May He fix my heart toward His perfect will because only the wisdom from God – given supernaturally and operating independently of my earthly knowledge – will bring peace and fulfillment to me. Who am I to receive this attention? No one of consequence yet loved nevertheless, by our great God. So I will rise up and greet this day knowing that all good things come from God and I can give to Him the honor and praise for a day lived in His presence. What He gives to me I will return through my praise, service, and time. “For all these come from You, and of Your own we have given [back to] You,” I Chronicles 29:14.
What a great God we serve!
Janet (jansuwilkinson)
From the archives. Originally published June 1, 2015.
Sixty-six books in a year 
Yes!!! Janet. Your prayer is powerful.