Reasons for Affliction – Discipline

“If they break My statutes And do not keep My commandments, Then I will punish their transgression with the rod,
And their iniquity with stripes.
Nevertheless My lovingkindness I will not utterly take from him, Nor allow My faithfulness to fail” (Ps 89:31-33 NKJV).

FATHER, thank You for Your grace that has chosen ____ to be now in the furnace of affliction (Isa 48:10). But, like the burning bush that Moses saw, convince (him/her) that (he/she) is never consumed (ref#134, p53).

Favor ____ with the realization that this fiery trial (he/she) faces does not have even one spark of hell in it. It will not be pleasurable for (him/her) but there will be none of Your wrath in it. It may feel like fire but it will not be like the fire of the bottomless pit. Possibly it is to discipline but there is no condemnation in it (ref#134, p55). Confirm to ____, FATHER, that You have lovingly crafted this situation and it will cause (him/her) not harm but good.

My Responsibility in Sanctification

FATHER, I praise You for giving to me the weapons that can triumph over satan— precisely Your Son and the SPIRIT. Though they overcome, it is necessary that I be responsible.

You, FATHER, make me “holy in the sense of innocence.” My responsibility is to participate in making my character into a holy character by a series of moral choices (ref#7, Sept 8th). I am inclined to cater to my undisciplined nature and many times attribute my failures to satan’s influence when the problem is my unwillingness to restrain myself.

I must strengthen myself to not submit to actions that stem from my physical condition. Prejudices and moods are two such things that I must destroy by neglect (ref#7, May 20th, Sept 8th).

“Many of us prefer to stay at the threshold of the Christian life instead of going on to construct a soul in accordance with the new life God has put within” (ref#7, May 20th).

FATHER, I want to be responsible. With my will and the SPIRIT’s power I desire to refute arguments and theories and reasonings and every proud and lofty thing that sets itself up against Your true knowledge (2 Cor 10:5). For You know, FATHER, I’m in a fight all day long. Rouse me to reject comfort with its unwillingness to exercise the holy qualities You have placed in me.

Fellowship, Not Knowledge

FATHER, sin is idolatrous when my heart desires something other than You (ref#5, p66). “This is what sin is—dishonoring God by preferring other things over him, and acting on those preferences” (ref#93, p12). It is too easy for my life to be “shaped by the satisfaction of cravings, rather than heartfelt commitment and faithfulness” (ref#5, p67).

“Let me not strive to understand the infinite, but rather spend my strength in love. What I cannot gain by intellect, I can possess by affection…put far from me any love for the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil that would keep me from the Tree of Life” (ref#34, Sept 5th PM).

Without the influence of the SPIRIT, I am satisfied with something other than a close relationship with You. Simply collecting facts about You can suffice conscience. FATHER, don’t permit me to know You only on the level of being amazed with Your attributes. Let it be no more amazing myself with You but You amazing me.

“The main design of all singing is for God’s ear and to attract His attention and to please Him. It is ‘to the Lord,’ for His glory, and to His honour” (ref#64, p44).

GOD’s Care For Me

COMPASSIONATE FATHER, You have made me in the womb (Job 31:15).

You know the way that I take; You have concern for it,
You pay attention to my way (Job 23:10).
You care about my going out and coming in (Ps 139:2).

You hear my supplication, receiving my prayer (Ps 6:9).
You see my way and count all my steps (Job 31:4).
You perform that which You have planned for me (Job 23:14).

You daily bear me up (Ps 68:19).

You turn my mourning into dancing (Ps 30:11).
You bring me near to dwell in Your courts (Ps 65:4).

You make Your face to shine upon me (Ps 67:1).

You put a new song in my mouth (Ps 40:3).

You cover all my sin (Ps 85:2).
You deliver me from death (Ps 68:20).
You redeem my life from the pit (Ps 103:4).

You withdraw all Your wrath (Ps 85:3).

You satisfy me with good (Ps 103:5).
You heal all my diseases (Ps 103:3).
You hear my voice and pleas (Ps 116:1).
You crown me with love and with mercy (Ps 103:4).

What shall I render to You, O LORD
for all Your benefits to me?
I will offer to You the sacrifice of thanksgiving

and forever call on Your name (Ps 116:12,17).