Lenten Series: In Need of The Helper
Lent is a liturgical observance and season of reflection; not a biblical mandate. It is simply a time to remind ourselves and appreciate the abundant grace of Christ’s saving work on the cross. It is a time to press in deeper in submission to Christ’s authority as we prepare our hearts to celebrate, with exceedingly great joy, the resurrection that awaits every believer and follower.
In our Lenten daily devotionals, we will focus on our spiritual needs and desires and how the Helper is our Gift for strength and success if we will bow in greater submission to the authority of our King and the terms of His Kingdom of righteousness, peace, and joy in the Spirit.
Reflection: Children of Light
Digging for Truth: Because God has rescued us from spiritual darkness and delivered us into his glorious and righteous Light or truth, we now desire to love and worship God with our whole being. Our spiritual eyes have been opened. Gratitude for the goodness of God fills our souls. We are confident God cares about every aspect of our lives not just our spiritual lives. If something is important to us emotionally and physically, it is also important to God.
Therefore, the Helper will communicate and address things that affect our whole being. When he does so, we may sense the prompting for us to follow. Or, we may feel a sense of uneasiness that makes us stop and reevaluate. The Helper seeks to keep us in a place of peace; God does not want us frustrated or wasting our time with unimportant things. The Helper leads us with wisdom as we live in the world, but his goal is to keep us focused on the eternal prize—the Kingdom.
Grace for the Heart: The Helper’s voice is subtle and gentle; so, we need to ask for God’s grace to help us listen carefully and discern wisely. Not all of our inner desires are godly, so we must sift through different voices attached to those desires. God gives us understanding on how to tell the difference in voices. The Helper will never lead us to be dishonest, selfish, unloving, sin against God, or hurt others. That is Satan’s voice or our own flesh trying to demand its own way. God calls us toward integrity and a holy use of our time. Grace helps us live in God’s appointed time for all things; we don’t need to be afraid there is not enough time to get the things done God has planned for us to do.
Ephesians 5:8-10 NLT 8 For once you were full of darkness, but now you have light from the Lord. So live as people of light! 9 For this light within you produces only what is good and right and true. 10 Carefully determine what pleases the Lord.
Challenge: Living as children of Light, requires discipline and patience. God may have us wait to act; rather than foolishly rush in to do something in our own strength. We do not know more or think more wisely than God, so let’s just accept the truth and invite the Spirit to help us listen, discern his voice, and act as instructed.
Prayer: Lord, help us run from foolish thinking, because we act on our thoughts. We want to use the time we have on earth to build your Kingdom; to walk in the light of wisdom and confidence in your instruction and way. In Jesus’ name. Amen.