Walk by the Spirit

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Friday, February 6, 2009
Devotions: Ps 69, 73; Isa 56:1-8; Gal 5:16-24; Mk 9:2-13

Lord, I’m in deep trouble—come and save me! I’m seriously outflanked and outnumbered; I’m under constant attack. Lord, You know my folly and my sin; I’m not blameless, but please don’t let those who trust you suffer because of my shortcomings. I am alienated largely because I claim to be Yours. Zeal for You and Your house has consumed me, and I am insulted by those who oppose You. Lord, please: at an acceptable time, in the abundance of Your steadfast love, answer me! Save me! Bless me! I am being treated like they treat Your Son Jesus. Let them be blotted out instead; set me above this struggle, I pray. I will praise You, Lord; let all heaven and earth praise our Creator God! He saves. God is good to the upright, but I had almost stumbled when I saw the godless prospering. It is weary to contemplate this, but necessary. And when I do ponder, I realize that their prosperity is fleeting and false, and there is nothing in this world I desire as I desire You, my God. My flesh and my heart may fail; but God is my Strength and my Portion forever. It is good to be with God and to tell of His mighty works.

The Lord urges that I remain faithful and just; soon His salvation will come and His deliverance will be revealed. Blessed are all who persevere in godliness. Trust God—He has provided an eternal place and a deathless name for all who keep faith with Him. He is God of all, and His house is a house for prayers of everyone. He is gathering the remnants to Himself!

Paul counsels: Walk by the Spirit; ignore the desires of the flesh—they oppose God’s Spirit. Led by the Spirit, you are not guided by the law, but by the Lawgiver. Turn from fornication, impurity, licentiousness, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, anger, selfishness, dissension, party spirit, envy, drunkenness, dissension, party spirit, envy, and carousing. Cultivate the fruit of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Whoever belongs to the Messiah has crucified the flesh and its godless passions and desires. So let’s walk by the Spirit!

Jesus took Peter, James and John with Him onto a high mountain, where they witnessed God’s kingdom and power: Jesus was transfigured before them: His garments glistened, intensely white. He was conferring with Moses and Elijah. Peter babbled: ‘Master, it’s good we’re here. Let us make booths for the three of You!’ A cloud overshadowed them, and a Voice spoke: ‘This is My beloved Son; listen to Him!’ And the vision passed. As they descended, Jesus charged them not to tell about what they had seen until the Son of man would be raised from the dead. They kept the matter among themselves, but were clueless what Jesus meant by the Son of man being raised from death. They asked him about the scribes’ claim that Elijah must return before the Messiah would be revealed. Jesus replied that Elijah had already returned, in the person of John the Baptizer—whom Herod had beheaded. [In such manner the authorities had treated virtually every emissary sent to them from God, and Jesus knew they would seek to destroy Him, too.]