Tribulation to Praise

“All of life is meant to reflect the infinite value of Christ” (ref#124, p115).

FATHER, if ____ is to bring glory to CHRIST in every circumstance then (his/her) attitude should be the same in both easy and hard situations. I pray ____ choose to not let this difficult circumstance affect (his/her) countenance negatively at all.

If (he/she) is entirely void of self-love (he/she) can be plunged into an abyss full of tribulation without exciting any emotion in (himself/herself) (ref#128, p459). FATHER, give ____ enough confidence in You that (his/her) natural frightened, angry emotion will evaporate.

Stay (his/her) mind on You (Isa 26:3). The bride in the Song of Solomon delights in attempting to describe her divine Bridegroom (Song 5:10-16); Make this ____’s work.

Empower (him/her) to rehearse the qualities of the heavenly Bridegroom. Make it sensible to (him/her) that joy can come when (he/she) recounts His excellencies which are the most important to (him/her) (ref#128, p463). And, with the praise welling up because of such activity, push (him/her) ahead that (he/she) may exclaim, “He is superior to all attributes and qualities” (ref#128, p463).

FATHER, give ____ a revelation of CHRIST so shocking that (he/she) focuses on CHRIST and forgets (his/her) tribulation. Cause worldly thought to be silenced with the captivating love of CHIRST (ref#128, p463). May (his/her) words to CHRIST simply be, “You are altogether lovely” (Song 5:16). I pray that ____ be so humbled with (his/her) relationship with CHRIST that (he/she) be unmoved in any situation.

SPIRIT Check—Assurances of Salvation

FATHER, when I say, “I confess, with my mouth, that JESUS is Lord and believe in my heart that You raised him from the dead,” (Rom 10:9) I want to know positively that You accept my faith and have made Your home in me (John 14:23), for my heart can be deceived and my mouth can speak words without understanding (Rom 10:10).

Does Your SPIRIT bears witness with my spirit that I am Your child (Rom 8:16)? Let me examine myself to see if I am in the faith (2 Cor 13:5). For You give me assurances:

• Do I trust CHRIST (Heb 3:6)?
• Am I obedient to You (Matt 7:21)?
• Am I growing in holiness—am I always attempting to purify myself as CHRIST is pure (1 John 3:3)?
• Do I possess the fruit of the SPIRIT (Gal 5:22,23)?
• Do I have a love for other Christians (1 John 3:14)?
• Do others see my good works and glorify You (Matt 5:16)?
• “If one desires to know whether he is regenerated or not, he simply need ask himself one question: Have I come to the cross as a helpless sinner and received the Lord Jesus as Savior” (ref#33, p77)?

Wanting to Conquer Sin

PATIENT FATHER, instill in me again that it is my old nature still residing in the members of my body that wants to conquer sin. But when, under my own strength, I succeed in not sinning, I become prideful—I hug myself like Micah when he got a real Levite and made him his own personal priest (Jud 17:12-13) (ref#35, p311).

However, as I move closer to Your CHRIST, communing with Him, I comprehend my utter unprofitableness regarding my ability to not sin. In communion I am face to face with the Infinitely Righteous who knows very well my vanity.

Let me quickly assign honor and glory to JESUS CHRIST for all that He has done for me. This brings fame to You, FATHER. Let me speak this truth to myself: You are credited each time CHRIST pardons me.

FATHER, You are attentive to CHRIST’s work, not mine. I am justified and accepted into Your kingdom only by the activity of JESUS CHRIST. He bears my iniquities (Isa 53:11) laying down His life as a ransom for my sins (Mark 10:45).

My sins will ever be before me (Ps 51:3), so let me rack my brain to think of them, not so I can attempt to stop doing them but so I can realize the extent of them and celebrate in praise that JESUS CHRIST answered Your justice for me. He has undergone the punishment that was and is due me.

CHRIST takes my sins and bears them away—disposes of them so You, FATHER, can be pleased with me and I can cling to CHRIST as He provides love, life, righteousness, and peace for me. Yes, He provides. Continue to remind me, FATHER, that as soon as I look upon my sin believing I can remove it (by overcoming it), I lose sight of CHRIST.

CHRIST, You call me to You even with my presently known load of sins. You say, “Come with your guilt of sin—come unto me (Matt 11:28) and honor the FATHER by laying yourself before Me so I can remove your sins as far as the east is from the west” (Ps 103:12).

Let me call on CHRIST to remove my sin and not petition You, FATHER, to help me remove the sin myself.