When I am struggling with an absence of peace, the reason usually comes back to a variation of a single issue: Where is the Lord in my heart? Where is my heart with the Lord?
Have I been wholehearted, lately, in my service to Him? Have I been completely and sincerely devoted to Him? Is my determination to follow Him marked by complete and earnest commitment? Is the worship of my heart free from all reserve or hesitation?
Is He first place in my life above all else? For, “I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery. You shall have no other gods before Me.” (Exodus 20:2-3.) I have to admit that if I allow other things (the Martha life) to crowd out the quiet of prayer and worship with Him daily (the Mary life) then those other things have knocked Him out of His first place position.
And sometimes, when there are a thousand things screaming for my attention, it is hard to still my soul, wait on the Lord, and listen patiently and contentedly. It can be so hard. But there is abundant life in no other way; there is peace with no other One.
When He is not first, that is idolatry. When I allow even a little leaven a foothold in my heart or mind, then I am trying to serve two masters, and that is idolatry:
Joshua 24:14-15
Matthew 6:24
Luke 9:23-26
Luke 9:57-62
Galatians 5:16-24
Galatians 6:7-8
James 4:4-10
And idolatry is an open door to the enemy. The Lord has made His peace with me, but have I made my peace with Him by humbly yielding and having no other gods before Him?
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