It always encourages me when God speaks the same thing to me from more than one source; it assures me that I am indeed hearing from Him. This happened to me over the past couple of days. I read the opening section in the Essentials Green ebook, all about the importance of maintaining the worship values of intimacy and integrity. Then, this morning, I opened my Bible for my daily quiet time, and, having just completed the book of Acts, decided to continue reading into the book of Romans. I read chapters 1 and 2, much of which is Paul’s admonishment of the Jews who, while physically circumcised (the letter of the law), were lawbreakers in the condition of their hearts. They were worshiping God without integrity, and as a result did not know true intimacy with God. Paul closes chapter two with these words: “On the contrary, a person is a Jew who is one inwardly, and circumcision is of the heart – by the Spirit, not the letter. His praise is not from men but from God” (HCSB).
I pray that God would circumcise my heart – that He would cut away from my heart all those things to which I give preference above Him, all those things that steal my gaze away from Jesus, all those things that have no part with the Spirit of God. Make me hungry and thirsty for You, O God. As the deer panteth for the water, so my soul longs for You!
Grant Wall