True benefit...

(Hebrews 19:9) “…for it is good for the heart to be strengthened by grace, not by foods, which have not benefited those devoted to them.”

The sooner we rest in this truth the sooner our lives will be filled with ease; not to be mistaken with a life full of slothfulness, on the contrary, the greater the need the grander the urgency! Urgency and contentment, how both words can fit together in the same sentence, one could be thinking. Why is it that the simplest of instructions from our heavenly Father are sometimes the hardest to appropriate? His instruction is so contrary to that which the world impregnates into our minds from a very young age, and then as parents we solidify these lies as if they were truths! It is time to leave behind the lie of this world and to once again begin to appropriate doctrinal truths from the word of God, to begin once again to prioritize what is of real value. To toss our lives into the winds of God’s Word so that the chaff may be driven away! To reassess everything that we were once taught! There are some trying times for the Christian just over the horizon, so let us embrace only that which will provide sustenance for the upcoming test! Judgement will and must firstly begin with the Christian. Our faith will be tested! “For it is time for judgement to begin at the household of God; and if it begins with us, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God?” (1Peter 4:17)   

We must seek out God grace like never before; we must become so dependent upon it that it becomes a way of life and not an exception to the rule. The greater our need the more we will learn to seek out grace in time of necessity. Hence the instruction; “for it is good for the heart to be strengthened by grace, not by foods, which have not benefited those devoted to them.”

King Solomon, King David’s son asked God for wisdom before wealth or anything else and that is what the Word of God will give us if we pay careful attention to it. “Straw men” or “red herrings”, call them what you will; they are no more than lies to take our minds off what is of utmost importance and in this context it would be, to daily have our hearts strengthened in finding God’s grace for our lives; these temptations (diversions) often leads us down the wrong path as we pursue studies and careers to the detriment of having our heart strengthened by grace. We believe that money will lighten the load, it is a lie! “For it is good for the heart to be strengthened by grace, not by foods, which have not benefited those devoted to them.”

I am persuaded by this truth; however I would confess that I am in the throes of learning this lesson and I have not yet arrived, for at times I cannot help the anxiousness I feel! Nevertheless I know in whom I believe! All hail King Jesus my Lord and Saviour!

Strength must come from my heart and not my wallet! This then is the lesson, may God give us all the insight to understand this valuable warning, for when we are settled by it, peace will of a certainty flood our souls and the joy of the Lord will be our portion…

Signing off

Tyrone