For years now I have received a monthly publication on encouragement. I began receiving it when I worked for a health system but made sure the publication had my new email address when I left that employment. This past publication dealt with some of the frustration and difficulties of isolation around this fear-and-virus-pandemic. One sentence caught my eye.
“Finally, don’t expect others to make your life better.”
In one way that statement is false. We have been set free from sin, bondage, death, and punishment by the work of Christ Jesus on the cross. Romans 8:1 is clear, “Therefore, no condemnation now exists for those in Christ Jesus.” [HCSB]
That has definitely made life better. To live free from the guilt and shame and the fear that one day we might face judgment has certainly made my life better!
In another way that statement is true. When Joshua was preparing the people to leave the wilderness and go into the Promised Land, he reminded them that while God would do His part, they also had a part to do.
“Get provisions ready for yourselves, for within three days you will be crossing the Jordan to go in and take possession of the land the Lord your God is giving you to inherit.” [Joshua 1:10 HCSB]
They received instructions to get their provisions ready. Later they were told to prepare for battle, and they would need to face their enemies to possess what God had prepared for them.
If you want your life to be better, if you want to walk closer to the LORD who saved you, if you want to sense God’s presence with you every day of your life, you have to work with and cooperate with God’s Holy Spirit. Other people cannot do that for you.
God opened the pathway and gave you every provision and promise necessary for a better life, but, you must possess it! That is a daily work.
