There's a saying I'm fond of, one that, like many sayings, is harder to live than it is to recite (don't we do that with Scripture, as well some times?): "If God is all I have, than I have all I need."
I think it comes from a few different passages of Scripture (see Matthew 5:2-11. Philippians 4:10-13), learning to be content only in Christ, learning to have nothing apart from Christ, learning to put no shelter in anything that perishes, but seeking after the Eternal. It's easy to say, but how true is it for us, really, if we look at how we live?
Today, I'm going to keep it short, and sweet. Let's take an inventory; what do you depend on that is not Christ? The more you work for it, the more you're standing to lose and be disappointed. Do not worship the gift, but give your life to the Giver! Let Jesus be enough. People may not understand, but He will be faithful and just!
Proverbs 3:1-12 English Standard Version (ESV)
Trust in the Lord with All Your Heart
3 My son, do not forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments, 2 for length of days and years of life and peace they will add to you.
3 Let not steadfast love and faithfulness forsake you; bind them around your neck; write them on the tablet of your heart. 4 So you will find favor and good success[a] in the sight of God and man.
5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. 6 In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. 7 Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord, and turn away from evil. 8 It will be healing to your flesh[b] and refreshment[c] to your bones.
9 Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your produce; 10 then your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will be bursting with wine.
11 My son, do not despise the Lord's discipline or be weary of his reproof, 12 for the Lord reproves him whom he loves, as a father the son in whom he delights.
Footnotes:
a. Proverbs 3:4 Or repute
b. Proverbs 3:8 Hebrew navel
c. Proverbs 3:8 Or medicine
Hebrews 4 English Standard Version (ESV)
4 Therefore, while the promise of entering his rest still stands, let us fear lest any of you should seem to have failed to reach it. 2 For good news came to us just as to them, but the message they heard did not benefit them, because they were not united by faith with those who listened.[a] 3 For we who have believed enter that rest, as he has said,
“As I swore in my wrath, ‘They shall not enter my rest,’”
although his works were finished from the foundation of the world. 4 For he has somewhere spoken of the seventh day in this way: “And God rested on the seventh day from all his works.” 5 And again in this passage he said,
“They shall not enter my rest.”
6 Since therefore it remains for some to enter it, and those who formerly received the good news failed to enter because of disobedience, 7 again he appoints a certain day, “Today,” saying through David so long afterward, in the words already quoted,
“Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts.”
8 For if Joshua had given them rest, God[b] would not have spoken of another day later on. 9 So then, there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God, 10 for whoever has entered God's rest has also rested from his works as God did from his.
11 Let us therefore strive to enter that rest, so that no one may fall by the same sort of disobedience. 12 For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. 13 And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account.
Jesus the Great High Priest
14 Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. 15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
Footnotes:
a. Hebrews 4:2 Some manuscripts it did not meet with faith in the hearers
b. Hebrews 4:8 Greek he
Comments