Read Job 38; 1 Corinthians 6:19-20; 1 John 4:18-19.
In last week’s devotional we considered how, in order to deepen our relationship with God, we first need to identify and deal with those areas of our lives that spoil our going forward.
If we were literally digging out a solid foundation in order to erect a building on top, we would find that the clearing of the spoil creates an empty space; a useful storage space. In spiritual terms, for us to proceed in being built into a form of spiritual lighthouse - a blazing stronghold of God’s love, faith and hope - we need not only to identify and dig out the ‘spoil’ but also make room for the Holy Spirit to come in and occupy the space that the clearing out has created in our hearts.
Each of us is a sacred spiritual storage space (the Bible uses the word ‘temple’) for the fulness of His love, life, energy, fruit and gifts. These are the very things which form the basis for His life being seen in and through us.
We need not only to identify and dig out the ‘spoil’ but also make room for the Holy Spirit to come in and occupy the space that the clearing out has been created in our hearts.
The way out is fivefold:
- Gain a correct perspective of how big your covenant partner God is in comparison to your most prevalent storm (see Job 38).
- Repent of not trusting Him e.g., giving into fear, unforgiveness, negative thoughts or sin. Be specific if you can.
- Make the choice to believe that what the Bible says is true about His nature, character and His love towards you.
- Resolve to live out your repentance through committing to godly choices. Ask for His help to keep strong in this resolve.
- Deliberately invite Him to walk alongside you through your storm and make the choice to believe He will be with you.
Look back to the notes you made last week and sincerely work through the process outlined above for each ‘spoil’ listed. When you have finished, work through the following exercise of sincere consecration.
Deliberately invite Him to walk alongside you through your storm and make the choice to believe He will be with you.
Additional reading Romans 6:12-14; Romans 12:1-2; 1 Peter 2:5.
Consecration:
A sacrifice is a gift or an offering made to God. The language used in the verses above refers to the burnt offering in the Temple worship. The Hebrew word translated ‘burnt’ literally means ‘that which arises or ascends.’ When a burnt offering was given, everything was totally consumed on the altar; the body, carcass, blood, hair. In fact, the aroma was said to rise up and be pleasing to Father’s nostrils.
In Romans 12:1 Paul implies that we are the burnt offering. In the Old Testament it was the priests who made the offerings, but Peter teaches that we are each part of the new priesthood, the body of believers. Therefore, the offering we are making today is ourselves — our whole lives.
Using Romans 6:13 and beginning with and from your mind and working down to your eyes, ears, mouth etc, take the time to intentionally offer your whole self and each individual part of your body to God for Him to use. Consciously set yourself apart to Him.
Take the time to intentionally offer your whole self and each individual part of your body to God for Him to use. Consciously set yourself apart to Him.
Prayer time:
Take time to listen to Him concerning any direction He may have for you. Turn these thoughts into a prayer, giving God permission to do everything He needs to do in you to make you the person He needs you to be to fulfil His plans in your life.
Ask the Holy Spirit to come in to fill you afresh today.
Ask Him to expand your faith, deepen your understanding of who God is and to pour His love into your heart in order for it to overflow out into the lives of others.
For more in-depth help and studies on the ‘spoil’ points please visit this site.
The other devotionals in this series can be accessed here.
