Praying for God's Discipline

God's discipline, unpleasant as it might be, exists for our benefit. He disciplines us to bring us closer to an understanding of his spirit. Therefore, we should, from time to time, actually ask God for that discipline, as difficult as that sounds.

In asking for God's discipline, not only do we acknowledge the function of that discipline, but also such requests, by their very nature, require that we approach God with a humble, contrite heart. God's desire that we exercise such humility is a theme that runs throughout the Bible.

Therefore, try this simple prayer, which comes from Jeremiah 10:24 (ESV),

Correct me, O Lord, but in justice;
    not in your anger, lest you bring me to nothing.

Remaining Focused on God During Busy Days

I believe that the most focused and meaningful prayers tend to occur in quiet places with few distractions. During those focused prayers, perhaps we already have topics in mind that we wish to pray about. Or perhaps we attempt to let the spirit take over.

Whatever we pray about, I believe those quiet times of prayer are important for spiritual growth. Regardless of our schedules, on most days we should schedule a few minutes dedicated to quiet, focused prayer. But let's be honest: On some (perhaps most?) days, we fail to do this.

However, even on busy days where we fail to engage in quiet prayer, we still must strive to remain close to God. Paul offers good advice in 1 Corinthians 10:31 (ESV),

So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.

Being busy might be an excuse, albeit a lousy one, for neglecting quiet, focused prayer. But being busy is not an excuse for forgetting God. Paul is saying that, whatever we do, we must do it for God. We must keep God on the front of our minds. And we must do so without ceasing!

God's Thoughts Above Ours

It's fun to philosophize about deep topics, including the meaning of our own existence, even if such discussions rarely lead to clear answers. As the Bible illustrates, such discussions are as old as civilization itself.

As one example, one of the oldest books in the Bible, Job, features a series of discussions about the meaning of existence. I previously have posted that Job, while failing to answer many of our questions, eventually points to the importance of remaining humble toward God.

As another example, Solomon's writings in Ecclesiastes, while seemingly depressing on the surface, eventually leads to an uplifting path for how to live.

In general, whenever I find myself pondering the meaning of life, I like to recall Isaiah 55:8-9 (ESV),

For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
    neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. 
For as the heavens are higher than the earth,
    so are my ways higher than your ways
    and my thoughts than your thoughts.

That is, there are many things we cannot know, because God's design is beyond our comprehension. I believe this is the lesson that both Job and Solomon present.

So as we head into the weekend, recall those words from Isaiah. Remain humble before God, and pray without ceasing!

Trust in God, and only God

During the time of Isaiah, the Babylonian Empire was amassing forces on Israel's northern border. An invasion seemed imminent. So what did the Israelites do? To whom did they turn for protection? Not God. Rather, they sought an alliance with their long-time nemesis, Egypt.

That's the background to Isaiah 30: 1:2 (ESV), in which God expresses his anger at the Israelites for putting their trust in earthly protection, rather than in God.

“Ah, stubborn children,” declares the Lord,
“who carry out a plan, but not mine,
and who make an alliance, but not of my Spirit,
    that they may add sin to sin;
who set out to go down to Egypt,
    without asking for my direction,
to take refuge in the protection of Pharaoh
    and to seek shelter in the shadow of Egypt!

The lesson is difficult, but important: Trust only in God. Do not trust in earthly schemes.

Now, that does not mean that, when sick, we must avoid doctors. Certainly, consult doctors when ill! Rather, the lesson is that we shouldn't trust doctors above God, because God works through doctors. Most importantly, God does everything according to his will. As Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 3:7 (ESV),

So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth.

The Romans Challenge

What is the most important part of the Bible? I previously have posted that an argument can be made for 1 Corinthians 15. I also have posted that the passage of the Suffering Servant is up there, too.

But in terms of pure theology, it's hard to beat Paul's letter to the Romans. Simply put, it's the most important document written by the most important Christian. It's hard to imagine a world in which the letter to the Romans were never written.

But, unfortunately, Romans is a very difficult read. That's in part due to its length (16 chapters), but perhaps more so because of its density. Seemingly every verse in Romans is packed with insights that require careful reflection.

So here's my suggestion: Starting today, begin the "Romans Challenge." That is, over the next sixteen days, read Romans one chapter at a time. Read a chapter in the morning, and then reflect on its content throughout the day. Because Romans is dense and requires careful reflection, I suggest not reading more than one chapter in a day. (I began the Romans Challenge on January 1, so I'm reading chapter 13 today!)

Due to the letter's importance, we probably should undertake the Romans Challenge at least once or twice a year. So start it today!

Putting Our Trust in God

Psalm 34:8 (ESV) says,

Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good!
Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!

That passage advises us to place our trust in God. In fact, we are "blessed" if we do so! And we can be fully confident that, if we place our trust in him, those blessing will actual happen. They may not come in the form we expect, but they'll happen. God makes this point to Isaiah (55:10-11, ESV),

For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven
    and do not return there but water the earth,
making it bring forth and sprout,
    giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater,
so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth;
    it shall not return to me empty,
but it shall accomplish that which I purpose,
    and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it.

So as we head into the weekend, whatever anxiety, stress, discomfort, or worries we might have, let us place our full trust in God! We can be confident that God is with us.

The Ten Commandments as a "Mirror"

I previously posted on the Ten Commandments, and how we can use them as guidance to do God's will.

But it's important to realize the real purpose of God's commandments. The commandments are NOT given to keep us free from sin. That is impossible. As John writes in 1 John 1:8 (ESV),

If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.

Rather, the purpose of the commandments is to make us AWARE of sin. As Paul writes in Romans 3:20 (ESV),

For by works of the law no human being will be justified in his sight, since through the law comes knowledge of sin.

That is, the Ten Commandments are like a "mirror" allowing us to see our sinful nature. When we pray, we should recall the Ten Commandments and recognize when we have violated each commandment. We then should confess those sins and ask God for forgiveness.

That might sound like a depressing way to pray, constantly searching our actions for cases of sin. But I actually find it liberating! I find that confessing my inadequacy to God brings me closer to living in his spirit. Give it a try, and see if you feel the same!