The Precious Word of God - 81-107

81.  What does the Word say that God is able to do for me?

• 2 Corinthians 9:8 And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:
• Ephesians 3:20 Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,
• 2 Timothy 1:12 For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.
• Hebrews 7:25 Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.
• Jude 1:24 Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy,

Father God, Your ability to do good things for me is above my comprehension, above my highest thoughts. You are able to pour abundant grace and power into my life. You are able to save me and keep me completely secure in Your love. You are able to keep me from falling into sin. Focus my eyes on Your ability, and teach me to rest in You always. Truly, You are able!

82.  Why has God given the Bible to me?

• Psalm 119:105 Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.
• Romans 15:4 For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.
• John 5:39 Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.
• 1 Corinthians 10:11 Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.
• John 17:17 Sanctify them through thy truth: thy Word is truth.

Holy Father, truly Your Word lights up the path of holiness for me, and motivates me through the faithfulness of Your followers in ages past. In Your Word I find comfort and hope, and strength to endure. I also find warnings to admonish me and keep me from going astray. Your Word declares Your love and mercy and contains sanctifying truth. How precious Your Word is to me!

83.  What will the Word of God do for me if I will study it?

• Acts 20:32 And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the Word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified.
• 2 Timothy 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the Word of truth.
• 2 Timothy 3:15 And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
• 2 Timothy 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
• 2 Timothy 3:17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.

Dear Lord, I pray that You will infuse my mind with spiritual desire and anoint me with spiritual insight as I study Your Word. Draw me to diligently probe the depths of Your Word, so that my thoughts will be pleasing to You. Remind me to meditate faithfully on Your Word, and let it reprove, correct and instruct me. Make me wise unto salvation through Your Word.

84.  Will the study of the Word change and transform my thoughts?

• Psalm 119:11 Thy Word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.
• Psalm 119:9. Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word.
• John 15:3 Now ye are clean through the Word which I have spoken unto you.
• 2 Corinthians 10:4 (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty [able] through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)
• James 1:21 Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.

Dear God, how I need Your transforming Word hidden in my heart, so that I can cleanse my way and keep from sin! As Your truth sink into my soul, let it purge out all impurity and make me clean. Let Your Word pull down the strongholds in my life, and build me up, and save my soul for eternity. Help my mind to be ready and willing to receive truth as I diligently search Your Word. Prepare me to hear Your Word and keep it close to my heart always.

85.  As I learn about God through His Word, will I grow in grace, knowledge and good works?

• 2 Corinthians 9:10 Now he that ministereth seed to the sower both minister bread for your food, and multiply your seed sown, and increase the fruits of your righteousness;)
• Ephesians 4:15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:
• Colossians 1:10 That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;
• 1 Peter 2:2 As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:
• 2 Peter 3:18 But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.

Dearest Lord, How I need to grow in grace and knowledge of You! You are the only one who can cause spiritual growth in my life, and make my service for You effective. Put a deep desire in my heart for Your Word, Your truth, that I may grow more and more like You each day.

86.  Is there truly creative power in the Word of God, that can change my heart and give me eternal life?

• Matthew 4:4 But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every Word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.
• John 12:50 And I know that his commandment is life everlasting: whatsoever I speak therefore, even as the Father said unto me, so I speak.
• James 1:18 Of his own will begat he us with the Word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.
• Hebrews 1:3 Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the Word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;
• Hebrews 4:12 For the Word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

Almighty Creator, the precious Word of God is alive and powerful, and brings life. I can live only by Your Word, Your commandment is life everlasting. It is through Your creative Word of truth that I am born again. You speak life into me through Your Word, by which You hold everything together. Dearest Lord, teach me to truly hear Your Word, deep in my soul, so that it can recreate me in Your image. I want the creative power of Your Word to be unleashed in my life.

87.  How much should I treasure the Word?

• Job 23:12 Neither have I gone back from the commandment of his lips; I have esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary food .
• Psalm 119:103 How sweet are thy words unto my taste! yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth!
• Psalm 119:131 I opened my mouth, and panted: for I longed for thy commandments.
• Psalm 119:174 I have longed for thy salvation, O LORD; and thy law is my delight.
• Jeremiah 15:16 Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy Word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by thy name, O LORD God of hosts.

Dear Lord, this is my desire, that Your Word will be more precious to me than any delectable morsel. Work in me to long for and crave Your Word with such intensity that I simply cannot live without it. Let Your precious Words be the theme of my sweetest contemplation. May Your righteous principles guide my every decision. Teach me to desire Your Word above all else!

88.  How valuable are God's promises to me, and how earnestly should I believe them?

• 2 Samuel 7:28 And now, O Lord GOD, thou art that God, and thy words be true, and thou hast promised this goodness unto thy servant:
• Psalm 119:72 The law of thy mouth is better unto me than thousands of gold and silver.
• Romans 4:21 And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform.
• 2 Peter 1:4 Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.
• Hebrews 2:1 Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip.

Oh Lord God, Your promises are indeed true, and are more valuable than all the riches in the world. I value Your exceedingly great and precious promises, because through them I can be delivered from the corrupting desires that bring destruction. Let me be fully persuaded that You will keep Your Word. Motivate me, my Father, to give these promises my earnest attention, so that I will not fail to receive Your reward.

89.  How enduring is the Word of God compared to this world?

• Psalm 119:160 Thy Word is true from the beginning: and every one of thy righteous judgments endureth for ever.
• Isaiah 40:8 The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the Word of our God shall stand for ever.
• Matthew 24:35 Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.
• 1 Peter 1:24, 25 For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away: But the Word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the Word which by the gospel is preached unto you.
• 1 John 2:17 And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.

Dear Lord, Cause me to understand this grand truth - the world and everything in it is temporary and fleeting, but Your Word is enduring and eternal. Empower me to always value Your Word over social and material concerns. Enable me to weigh each decision in the light that shines from Your Word. Help me to treasure Your Word above all.

90.  Does God want me to keep His Word in my memory, to keep me from sin?

• Psalm 17:4 Concerning the works of men, by the Word of thy lips I have kept me from the paths of the destroyer.
• Psalm 119:11 Thy Word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.
• Luke 11:28 But he said, Yea rather, blessed are they that hear the Word of God, and keep it.
• 2 Peter 3:1 This second epistle, beloved, I now write unto you; in both which I stir up your pure minds by way of remembrance:
• Revelation 3:8 I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name.

Precious Savior, Sanctify me so that I will keep Your words fresh in my mind, not just as facts but as operating principles. Let Your powerful Word keep me, just as I keep it. Sharpen my memory, so Your Words are at the forefront of all my thoughts. Keeping Your Word active in my mind is the only way I can remain faithful to You always.

91.  How important is it to God that I believe and accept His truth?

• Psalm 25:5 Lead me in thy truth, and teach me: for thou art the God of my salvation; on thee do I wait all the day.
• Psalm 51:6 Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom.
• John 8:32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
• John 16:13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.
• 2 Thessalonians 2:12 That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.

Dearest Lord, You are the God of my salvation. Lead me, teach me, let me keep my ear tuned to You all day long. Guide me into all truth. Plant it deep in my heart. Let me love Your truth, so I can experience freedom from the darkness of error and sin.

92.  Does the light of God's truth get brighter as I learn and grow?

• Psalm 27:1 The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?
• Proverbs 4:18 But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day.
• 2 Corinthians 4:6 For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
• Ephesians 5:14 Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light.
• 1 John 1:5 This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.

My Lord, You are my light and my salvation. I long for Your pure, radiant light to illumine my life, ever increasing in intensity. Shine Your light in my heart, Lord, that I may reflect the glory of Jesus. Turn my heart away from the darkness of sin and let me rejoice in Your beautiful light.

93.  Why is there so much error being taught, and why do people twist the scriptures?

• Psalm 56:5 Every day they wrest my words: all their thoughts are against me for evil.
• Matthew 22:29 Jesus answered and said unto them, Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God.
• 2 Timothy 4:3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;
• 2 Timothy 4:4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.
• 2 Peter 3:16 As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.

Oh, Dear Lord, Dwell in me, I earnestly pray, so that I will accept Your truth, eagerly, and experience its life changing power. Help me never to twist and resist Your Words. Teach me to value sound doctrine, and be a faithful student of scripture. Keep me from ignorance and defiance that would misconstrue truth. Teach me Your ways, and keep me from error and deception through a deep understanding of truth.

94.  Can I trust in the wisdom of other humans?

• 1 Corinthians 1:20 Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world?
• 1 Corinthians 1:25 Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men.
• 1 Corinthians 2:5 That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.
• 1 Corinthians 3:19 For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness.
• James 3:15 This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish.

Dearest Father, turn my ears away from man's foolishness that he thinks is wisdom. Tune my ears to hear wisdom from Your Word. Let me never trust in man's faulty point of view when it conflicts with Your declarations. Deliver me from warped human wisdom which is infected with the devil's influence. I seek Your divine wisdom alone!

95.  Can I safely depend on my own wisdom and understanding?

• Proverbs 3:7 Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil.
• Proverbs 12:15 The way of a fool is right in his own eyes: but he that hearkeneth unto counsel is wise.
• Proverbs 14:12 There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.
• Jeremiah 10:23 O LORD, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps.
• 1 Corinthians 8:2 And if any man think that he knoweth any thing, he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know.

Oh Lord, Impress me to recognize my desperate need of Your wise counsel and guidance! Help me not to exalt my opinion and stubbornly insist that I am right. Teach me humility, that I may always turn to You in all my decision making, and never feel smug in my own ideas. I need You to save me from my over-confident, headstrong blindness.

96.  Since I can't trust in man's wisdom, can I trust God's wisdom?

• Job 28:28 And unto man he said, Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom; and to depart from evil is understanding.
• Proverbs 2:6 For the LORD giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding.
• Proverbs 16:16 How much better is it to get wisdom than gold! and to get understanding rather to be chosen than silver!
• Proverbs 19:8 He that getteth wisdom loveth his own soul: he that keepeth understanding shall find good.
• Ephesians 1:17 That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him:

Teach me, dear Lord, to reverently depend on You, and seek Your wisdom diligently. Empower me to put this pursuit at a much higher priority than seeking material possessions, or wealth. Fill me with Your Spirit of wisdom, that I may truly know and understand You!

97.  How can I receive God's wisdom?

• Psalm 90:12 So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.
• Psalm 111:10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments: his praise endureth for ever.
• Proverbs 1:7 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.
• James 1:5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.
• James 3:17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.

Lord, help me to realize that each moment is precious, for You provide me daily opportunities to become wise in You. Give me a willingness to do Your will so that You can increase the wisdom within me. I humbly ask You for wisdom, Lord. I truly desire it. And since You have promised to give it, I do believe that You are even now giving it to me. Let Your Heavenly wisdom make me into a wise, amiable, peaceable person, with genuine godliness.

98.  Is truth absolute (God defined) or relative, (human opinion)

• Exodus 34:6 And the LORD passed by before him, and proclaimed, The LORD, The LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth,
• Deuteronomy 23:4 He is the Rock, his work is perfect: for all his ways are judgment: a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is he.
• Psalm 33:4 For the Word of the LORD is right; and all his works are done in truth.
• 1 John 5:6 This is he that came by water and blood, even Jesus Christ; not by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit that beareth witness, because the Spirit is truth.
• Psalm 146:6 Which made heaven, and earth, the sea, and all that therein is: which keepeth truth for ever:

Lord, You are the God of truth, and abundant in goodness. Truth originates with You, Lord God. Jesus, You are the truth. The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of truth. There is no other source of truth. Teach me, Lord, to put human opinion in its rightful place, totally subordinate to Your truth. Your Word is absolute truth. Help me to remember that human opinion must ever bow in subjection to Your truth.

99.  Where can I find truth?

• Psalm 119:142 Thy righteousness is an everlasting righteousness, and thy law is the truth.
• Psalm 119:151 Thou art near, O LORD; and all thy commandments are truth.
• John 1:14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.
• John 17:17 Sanctify them through thy truth: thy Word is truth.
• John 18:37 Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice.

Oh God of Truth, open to me the doors of truth, through Your holy law, Your 10 commandments, as was manifested in the life of Jesus Christ. Thank You that He came to reveal truth to us. I want to be a follower of truth, and hear Your voice.

100.  Does God promise to guide me into truth if I am willing?

• Psalm 25:5 Lead me in thy truth, and teach me: for thou art the God of my salvation; on thee do I wait all the day.
• Psalm 51:6 Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom.
• Proverbs 23:23 Buy the truth, and sell it not; also wisdom, and instruction, and understanding.
• John 4:24 God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.
• John 16:13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.

Dearest Father, Create in me such a deep desire for truth that I am willing to make any sacrifice to obtain it. And when, through diligent seeking, I find that my preconceived opinions conflict with Your truth, empower me to cling to Your truth, at any cost to myself. Empower me to worship You with a heart surrendered to truth, confident that Your Spirit will continue to lead me into all truth.

101.  Has God promised to guide me in the way He wants me to go?

• Psalm 32:8 I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye.
• Proverbs 3:6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
• Isaiah 30:21 And thine ears shall hear a Word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left.
• Isaiah 42:16 And I will bring the blind by a way that they knew not; I will lead them in paths that they have not known: I will make darkness light before them, and crooked things straight. These things will I do unto them, and not forsake them.
• Isaiah 58:11 And the LORD shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in drought, and make fat thy bones: and thou shalt be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not.

My wonderful Guide and Counselor, Your promises to me are abundant, so that I can depend fully on Your leadership in my life. You have promised to teach me, lead me, direct me, prompt me, and guide me continually! Your direction is fail-safe and true. Open my ears, Lord, to listen to Your voice, so that I will respond to Your gentle nudges, and to willingly walk in the way You want me to go.

102.  What are the benefits of accepting and obeying the truth?

• Exodus 19:5 Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine:
• Psalm 96:13 Before the LORD: for he cometh, for he cometh to judge the earth: he shall judge the world with righteousness, and the people with his truth.
• Isaiah 26:2 Open ye the gates, that the righteous nation which keepeth the truth may enter in.
• Jeremiah 7:23 But this thing commanded I them, saying, Obey my voice, and I will be your God, and ye shall be my people: and walk ye in all the ways that I have commanded you, that it may be well unto you.
• 2 Thessalonians 2:13 But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth:

Dear Lord, I want to be Your special treasure, so You can judge me with righteousness and truth. I want You to open the gates of Heaven for me. I want a close relationship with You. I want to be beloved by You. Through Your indwelling power, You will enable me to obey Your voice and delight in Your truth always.

103.  Is truth powerful enough to protect me from error and evil?

• Psalm 91:4 He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler.
• 2 Corinthians 6:7 By the Word of truth, by the power of God, by the armour of righteousness on the right hand and on the left,
• John 3:21 But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.
• John 8:32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
• Titus 1:1 Paul, a servant of God, and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God's elect, and the acknowledging of the truth which is after godliness;

Heavenly Father, I need Your truth to be my shield, to protect me from the delusions of the enemy. Your truth keeps me safe from bondage and darkness of sin, so that I can dwell in Your holy light. Please Lord, keep me walking in Your truth always.

104.  Do many people reject truth?

• Jeremiah 7:28 But thou shalt say unto them, This is a nation that obeyeth not the voice of the LORD their God, nor receiveth correction: truth is perished, and is cut off from their mouth.
• Jeremiah 9:5 And they will deceive every one his neighbour, and will not speak the truth: they have taught their tongue to speak lies, and weary themselves to commit iniquity.
• 2 Timothy 4:4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.
• 1 John 1:8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
• 1 John 2:4 He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.

Dear Lord, what sorrow must fill Your heart when people that You created turn from Your Word, and resist truth! They have taught their tongues to speak lies, and they believe in fables. Show me, Lord, how to humble myself and confess my sinfulness and rebellion. Strengthen me to cling to truth, and let it transform me into an obedient commandment-keeper. Let Your truth be welcome in my heart.

105.  Is it dangerous to reject truth?

• Romans 1:18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;
• Romans 2:8 But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath,
• 2 Thessalonians 2:10 And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.
• 2 Thessalonians 2:11 And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie:
• 2 Thessalonians 2:12 That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.

My Father, what a fearful thing it is to know truth, but to not embrace it! Put within me a love for Your truth, and a desire to obey it. Help me to cherish each nugget of truth so much that my life is molded and shaped by it in every detail. Make me transparent and honest before You, walking in truth.

106.  Is resisting God and rebelling against Him something that many people do?

• 1 Samuel 15:23 For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the Word of the LORD, he hath also rejected thee from being king.
• Isaiah 1:20 But if ye refuse and rebel, ye shall be devoured with the sword: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it.
• Jeremiah 7:24 But they hearkened not, nor inclined their ear, but walked in the counsels and in the imagination of their evil heart, and went backward, and not forward.
• Zechariah 7:11, 12 But they refused to hearken, and pulled away the shoulder, and stopped their ears, that they should not hear. Yea, they made their hearts as an adamant stone, lest they should hear the law, and the words which the LORD of hosts hath sent in his spirit by the former prophets: therefore came a great wrath from the LORD of hosts.
• Acts 7:51 Ye stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always resist the Holy Ghost: as your fathers did, so do ye.

Precious Savior, how long must You put up with rebellious humanity? You gave everything to provide abundant salvation and yet, through the ages the majority have stubbornly resisted Your grace. Father, break down all resistance in me, make my heart soft and receptive. Take away every rebellious thought. Draw me into Your loving arms, and give me a humble, willing spirit, I pray.

107.  Instead of resisting God, what are we to resist and turn away from?

• Ezekiel 33:19 But if the wicked turn from his wickedness, and do that which is lawful and right, he shall live thereby.
• Daniel 9:13 As it is written in the law of Moses, all this evil is come upon us: yet made we not our prayer before the LORD our God, that we might turn from our iniquities, and understand thy truth.
• Acts 14:15 And saying, Sirs, why do ye these things? We also are men of like passions with you, and preach unto you that ye should turn from these vanities unto the living God, which made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all things that are therein:
• James 4:7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
• 1 Peter 5:8,9 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.

Dear Lord, I need Your divine strength to turn away from all wickedness and iniquity. Subdue my heart to submit to You, because You are my loving Creator. By steadfast faith in clinging to You, give me power to resist the raging devil, and he will flee from me, for he cannot bear to be in Your presence! I rejoice in Your powerful grace, and give You the praise and glory!

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