"In measure, when [Israel] shooteth forth [like a plant], Thou wilt [contended] with it: He [removes it by] His rough wind in the day of the east wind. By this therefore shall the iniquity of Jacob be purged..." Isaiah 27:8, 9a (Rev. Marg.)
Perhaps we forget that purging is painful. There are parts of you that are not of God, parts of you that are still dead; ideas, habits, and perspectives that must go. There are ways that seemed right unto us, ideas that seemed the norm. God's Spirit enters in, however, and reveals that such ways and ideas are not a part of Him and must go. Change brings pain; Christ has given us the power to change, but it will be a war between our flesh and the inner man.
Look back at the week you had: Was it rough? Were you troubled? Did you feel hammered on all sides? Now that it is over, are you exhausted and yet relieved? Now ask yourself: What did you learn? What has changed in your mind about things? Where have your perspectives and ways altered? The "rough stuff" of our lives is part of the anvil and hammer that God uses to purge out our imperfections.
"...this is all the fruits to take away sin..." This is how we know that we have been purged: that which once held sway in our lives is no more; that which held our focus away from God is gone; that which was a manifestation of our own will has been lost (Isaiah 27:9b). Drawing closer to God always means a purging of everything that is not of Him.
"Take this dead body and
Beat it with Your Life
Until it is in the Image
Of your Living Son..."
-Jon Vowell
Perhaps we forget that purging is painful. There are parts of you that are not of God, parts of you that are still dead; ideas, habits, and perspectives that must go. There are ways that seemed right unto us, ideas that seemed the norm. God's Spirit enters in, however, and reveals that such ways and ideas are not a part of Him and must go. Change brings pain; Christ has given us the power to change, but it will be a war between our flesh and the inner man.
Look back at the week you had: Was it rough? Were you troubled? Did you feel hammered on all sides? Now that it is over, are you exhausted and yet relieved? Now ask yourself: What did you learn? What has changed in your mind about things? Where have your perspectives and ways altered? The "rough stuff" of our lives is part of the anvil and hammer that God uses to purge out our imperfections.
"...this is all the fruits to take away sin..." This is how we know that we have been purged: that which once held sway in our lives is no more; that which held our focus away from God is gone; that which was a manifestation of our own will has been lost (Isaiah 27:9b). Drawing closer to God always means a purging of everything that is not of Him.
"Take this dead body and
Beat it with Your Life
Until it is in the Image
Of your Living Son..."
-Jon Vowell
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