Today's Scripture
Acts 17:22-34
Are You Obsessed by Something? “Who is the man that fears the Lord?” Psalm 25:12
Are you consumed by something? You will probably say, “No, by nothing,” but all of us are consumed by something—usually by ourselves, or, if we are Christians, by our own experience of the Christian life. But the psalmist says that we are to be consumed by God. The abiding awareness of the Christian life is God Himself, not just thoughts about Him. The total being of our life inside and out is to be absolutely consumed by the presence of God. A child’s awareness is so absorbed in his mother that although he is not consciously thinking of her when a problem arises, the abiding relationship is with the mother. In that same way, we are to “live and move and have our being” in God (Acts 17:28), looking at everything in relation to Him, because our abiding awareness of Him continually pushes itself to the forefront of our lives.
If we are consumed by God, nothing else can get into our lives—not concerns, nor tribulation, nor worries. And now we understand why our Lord so emphasized the sin of worrying. How can we dare to be so absolutely unbelieving when God totally surrounds us? To be consumed by God is to have an effective barricade against all the assaults of the enemy.
“He himself shall dwell in prosperity.” (Psalm 25:13) God will cause us to “dwell in prosperity,” keeping us at ease, even in the midst of tribulation, misunderstanding, and slander, if our “life is hidden with Christ in God.” (Colossians 3:3) We rob ourselves of the miraculous, revealed truth of this abiding companionship with God. “God is our refuge.” (Psalm 46:1) Nothing can break through His shelter of protection.
Today's Prayer
Lord, thank You for delivering us from ourselves and revealing how freeing it
is to make You our source and passion. Help us to see from your vantage point and to be acutely aware of everything in relation to You. Keep us covered and filled with Your passion and mission for your Kingdom. Keep us aware of the eternal value, the safety, and the revelation Your companionship provides us.