September 8, 2017 - - Psalm 34:19-22

Many are the afflictions of the righteous,
But the Lord delivers him out of them all.
He guards all his bones;
Not one of them is broken.
Evil shall slay the wicked,
And those who hate the righteous shall be condemned.
The Lord redeems the soul of His servants,
And none of those who trust in Him shall be condemned.
Psalm 34:19-22 NKJV

Life means suffering. Those who follow God and are obedient to Christ will suffer many troubles. These are purposeful. It is the transformation from death to life, it is the squeezing out of the pus of evil. The Spirit of the Living God takes hold of the Christian and works into us, rotting, stinking corpses that we once were, the breath of life. As the Spirit works in us, evil things become hateful and obedience joyful. Knowing God becomes the greatest joy.
Life means suffering. Those who follow evil will face troubles--mental, spiritual, emotional, physical. There is a pervading purposelessness, emptiness in all things when one attempts to enjoy them without God. Ultimately, one who pursues evil and thinks he is free and enjoying life will face the reality he has prepared himself, all life long, for hell.
There is no middle ground. Either one is hell-bent in all living or one has his heart held by Christ and is being redeemed by the LORD. Devotional times clearly emphasize the happiness, the great blessing, which God pours into the life of those who trust in God. Times of Bible reading and prayer bring healing to the mind and the soul, life and strength to the body in times of suffering--it is evidence of the refreshing of the Spirit.

Thank You Father for Your great deliverance in Jesus Christ. Thank You for the Spirit Who is bringing new life and breath to these once dead, dry bones. Cause the devotional times to be fixed in my day so that Your Spirit can continue to fix my heart. Give me the perseverance I need to stay true to You. Amen.