Surety in our Heavenly Father

I was looking at musical arrangements of some hymns of youtube, and I stumbled across one of my favourites: It is Well with my Soul. This hymn really portrays the raw dependence that we need to have on God in all things. The writer of the words, Horatio G. Spafford, really captured this in his own situation: the need that we ought to have in depending on God, both in good times and bad.

I won't recount the story behind these words (just google it, as its a powerful story and will change your perception of it), but one thing to note is that Spafford suffered. He really suffered. He had just lost his five children, as well as most of the real estate investment he owned. Yet despite all this he was able to praise God and say 'It is well, with my soul.' 

His faith puts me to shame, for so often when life's hardships come our way we despair, even to the point that we may become overwhelmed by them. Yet this refrain reminds me of hope: 'It is well with my soul.' And why? Because I know that God in heaven is in control over all things. I know that whatever comes my way, God is in complete control over it; He promises never to send us more than we can endure.

No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it. (1 Corinthians 10:13)

And so, we have be assured and comforted that God is always with us. He is in control over all things as Almighty God, and He is also beside us as we endure it because He is also our Father.

It is Well with My Soul - Brian Doerkson

1. 
   

Create in me a Clean Heart

How often is it that we have a sin (or more than one) in our lives that keeps, and keeps on recurring? We all have something in mind that we know we struggle with constantly. It could be your pride, it could be your selfishness, it could be an addiction to pornography, it could be a quick temper, it could be so many more things.

But what do we do when we have such a recurring sin in our lives? Do strive to constantly fight it, or do we give up after a few tries because it doesn't seem to work. Or do we just not bother at all, because 'that's just a part of me, I can't help it'. The unfortunate thing is that most of us will admit to the latter. We either give up and cease the fight, or not even try at all.

But this is so WRONG!!! While our human nature tells us if something is too hard then maybe it wasn't meant to be, this is not the way we, as Children of God must follow. Our human nature is our enemy, don't obey it, but rather obey God and His commands.

God teaches us that when we encounter such difficulties we ought firstly to bring them to Him in prayer. Tell God about them. He is eager to hear. Let Him know what it is you struggle with, let Him know how easily you fall into the same sin again and again.

And then ask Him to heal the sin. And ask this believing that He can. So often we pray doubting the results. And yes, its true we often don't know the outcome, however, we must never doubt God. God CAN heal us, He CAN take away that sin. There is absolutely no doubt about that. The doubt however lies with you. Are you willing to fully put away that sin? Or do you still wish to hang on just a little bit?   Jesus tells us we cannot serve two masters for we will either "hate the one and love the other, or else [we] will be loyal to the one and despise the other." We "cannot serve God and mammon." (Matthew 6:24)

This passage makes itself quite clear and yet it is so hard to do completely. Yet the command remains: we cannot serve two masters.

So how do we put away this sin? We must detest and truly desire to be cleansed from it. Allow God's Spirit to work renewal in your life. Do not hinder it by turning back to that sin, but resist your sinful nature. "Resist the devil and he will flee from you" (James 4:7). And at the same time be willing to work. Change doesn't come without work. And although we acknowledge that God works all things in us through His Spirit, remember, nothing will happen if you just sit back waiting.

Act NOW!!! Pray NOW!!! Let the Spirit do His work NOW!!!

"Create in me a clean heart, O God, 

And renew a steadfast spirit within me. 

Do not cast me away from Your presence, 

And do not take Your Holy Spirit from me. 

Restore to me the joy of Your salvation,

And uphold me by Your generous Spirit."

Psalm 51:10-12