Daily Self-denial
I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. Romans 12:1.
Why will not the youth learn a lesson from the case of Adam? His failure in not bearing the slight test of God was followed by a terrible retribution. And yet Satan has such power to bewitch the mind that with this beacon of warning before us many will talk of liberality and not being so particular in regard to God’s requirements. . . .
It is a very small offering, at best, that we can make to our heavenly Father. In view of our accountability to God, we are all under the strongest obligation to bring our appetites and passions under the control of the intelligent will. Taste has done more to pervert the understanding and becloud the spiritual sky than everything else beside. Satan benumbs the intellect of many through indulgence of appetite, and then he makes these intemperate ones special objects of temptation, to go still farther from the path of obedience and holiness. Those who have been entrusted with valuable talents will miss eternal life unless they shall see the necessity of daily self-denial, of what it means to be an overcomer. . . .
There is not, with many, . . . one half the vigor there might be, because of ailments brought on through indulgence of appetite and debasing habits. What clearness of perception the youth might have if they would adhere strictly to the laws of health, as did Daniel and his three companions! What freedom from pain, and with how much greater ease could they perform their duties! How much greater would be their spiritual fervor! And how much more good, by precept and example, would they do to others! . . .
God is able to make all grace abound toward you. We have no right to claim the promises of God till we comply with the conditions revealed in His Word. “Come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you” (2 Corinthians 6:17). Will you do it?
That I May Know Him p. 313
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Prayer Requests
—-Please pray for safe travels as we go to Brian and Esther’s for the Thanksgiving holiday. Rose
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Dear Friends,
When Eileen was a little girl, the story of Queen Esther was her favorite Bible story. Often she would crawl up on my lap and listen to me read the story of Esther to her. She never tired of it. She often played that she was that Bible character. We had great fun together as we would work around the house. Sometimes she was in Mordacai’s house helping with the work, sometimes she was the queen lounging on the sofa and I was the servant cleaning or cooking.
The book of Esther is full of lessons for us who live today. We have an enemy far stronger and wiser than that wicked Haman, who wanted to destroy God’s people from the earth. Mordacai felt so responsible for this coming destruction. He humbled himself, dressing in sackcloth and ashes. He and his people prayed night and day for deliverance according to Queen Esther’s command. Perhaps they prayed as did David, “Deliver me from mine enemies, O my God: defend me from them that rise up against me. Deliver me from the workers of iniquity, and save me from bloody men. For, lo, they lie in wait for my soul: the mighty are gathered against me; not for my transgression, nor for my sin, O LORD. They run and prepare themselves without my fault: awake to help me, and behold. . . . I will sing of thy power; yea, I will sing aloud of thy mercy in the morning: for thou hast been my defence and refuge in the day of my trouble. Unto thee, O my strength, will I sing: for God is my defence, and the God of my mercy.” Ps 59:1-4, 16,17 The Great King of the Universe heard their prayers and wrought a great deliverance for them.
Just so, He will deliver us from the evil one, when we cry unto Him. There are dangers on every hand “for we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” Eph 6:12 As did Queen Esther and her people, we can claim the promise, “Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence. He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler. Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day; Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday. A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked. Because thou hast made the LORD, which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation; There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling.” Psa 91:3-10 Moreover, in the future, when the world is in great distress, when it crashes in upon us, when all are against us, we are told, “Alas! for that day is great, so that none is like it: it is even the time of Jacob‘s trouble; but he shall be saved out of it.” Jer 30:7 We shall be delivered! Jesus will come and rescue us from the power of the evil one! Precious promises!
Peter assures us, “The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished.” 2 Peter 2:9 Throughout his writings, Paul speaks of this great love and deliverance of “our Lord Jesus Christ, Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father: To whom be glory for ever and ever.”Gal 1:3-5 “Take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication. Eph 6:13-18
Our Loving Saviour offers us His righteousness, His protection. It has cost him everything, but it is worth it to Him because of the great love wherewith He loves us. Indeed, He has graven us upon the palms of His hands. (Isa 49:16) Isaiah tells us that “He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied.” Isa 53:11 Think of it! We are so precious to our Dear Saviour, that He counted it a joy to suffer and die for us! What wondrous love! It is beyond our comprehension!
May we freely return His love, serving Him with joy and gladness throughout our life. May the Lord, Who is faithful, keep us moment by moment from all evil. (2 Th 3:3) May we declare as did Paul, “And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom: to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.” 2 Tim 4:18
Rose