Hello ICC Family!
A couple of years ago I stumbled across a short prayer that has helped me as I spend time with the Lord in prayer and reading his Word.
“Father, as I approach your Word today, would you comfort me, confront me,
and use it to conform me more and more into the image of your Son,
through the power of your Spirit, Amen.”
I think this prayer summarizes well both what we hope to receive from God’s Word, as well as what we truly need from God’s Word on a daily basis. We hope for comfort - for encouragement, strength, and a reminder of God’s abundant love and mercy. Because many days are tough. They can be filled with trials, temptation, bad news, setbacks, and pain. I can remember the first time I read Habakkuk 3:17-18:
“Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines,
though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food,
though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls,
yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior.”
The Lord brought me much comfort at a time when I truly needed it - just by reminding me that I am not the first to go through hard times, and that others in even worse situations than me still chose to rejoice and be joyful.
There are other times, though, when I need to be confronted by God’s holiness and my own sin. Sometimes the sin is weighing on me and the Spirit uses the Word of God to move me to repent and ask forgiveness. Other times I am not even aware of my sin, and the Word of God comes to life just like in Hebrews 4:12:
“For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword,
it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow;
it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.”
While I don’t think any of us hopes to have our hearts penetrated with a sword… there are times it is needed. Especially if we want to grow close to Christ. And that desire - that hope and that need - is summarized in the last part of that prayer: conform me more and more into the image of your Son. That is my prayer each day for both myself and for all of you! That is my prayer this week as well. I hope that all of you are able to come to our Good Friday and Resurrection Day services at ICC this week. They will be special times for our family as well as for all those that choose to join us. Even if you can’t, though, I hope you are able to spend time in God’s Word and meditate on the cross and the resurrection. And that the end result is that God is glorified and you are more like Jesus!
Blessings to you all. And know that I’m praying for you!
Pastor Aaron