BREAKTHROUGH - DAY 5
Jan 14 3:30 AM

BREAKTHROUGH - DAY 5

Jan 14 3:30 AM
Jan 14 3:30 AM

Read Romans 3:23-26.

 

The more we spend in the presence of God, the more we see and recognize the stains on our own clothing and the need for new dress. We begin to witness the holiness of God, His perfectly distinct nature that sets Him apart from all creation. We recognize His provision, His grace and mercy, His glory. The perfect standard of good that only ever leads to us becoming overwhelmingly aware of our lack.

 

Today we are going to take the time to confess and end with a time of assurance in the truth of the Gospel. This rhythm of confessing and reminding ourselves of the grace offered through Jesus is overwhelmingly important if we are to move forward and gain greater intimacy with God. He is calling and pursuing you with such passion and is asking you to bring your all. So, we come and bring it—hiding no detail in our confession.

 

CONFESSION

 

Chances are, even if you are reading this at the very start of your day, you have already sinned and have need to confess before the Lord. Either you’ve had a moment of ill thought against another, you’ve acted poorly to a spouse or family member, or perhaps you read the paragraphs above and had the thought you’re not doing that bad and you have no need to confess (which in and of itself calls for confession and prayer for God to shed light in your shadowed corners). Maybe it’s something that God has been convicting you to do for some time now and you have left it undone in disobedience; potentially to the point that you have become numb to the Holy Spirit’s conviction on the subject. Whatever it is, now is the time. The presence of God has not left you, though you may have become unaware. He already knows the depths of your sin. The longer you hold tight to this, the longer you allow the enemy to have a strong hold on you.

 

Spend the majority of your time today confessing fully to the Lord ways you have sinned against Him. A journal and pen might be helpful for you to fully process and create an uninterrupted train of thought as you allow the Holy Spirit to bring things to your mind. Allow this to be a safe space where you recognize the weight you have been carrying. Ask God to help you feel it lifted off your shoulders as you sense Him taking the weight upon Himself.

 

ASSURANCE

 

THANKS BE TO GOD. Did you catch a glimpse of His loving gaze? Did you feel the warmth of God wash over you as you poured out your heart before Him? For those in Christ, you are a new creation. The old has gone, the new has come, and there is nothing and no one that can take that victory from you. Listen to the prompting of the Holy Spirit as He declares LIFE over your weary soul. Allow Him to be the one to give you the breath needed to move and act in such a way that brings God the utmost glory.

 

“Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” (ESV, Matthew 11:28-29 [emphasis added]).

 

This is the Gospel. Jesus wearing the burden of our sin upon Himself and showing us abounding grace that we might experience TRUE rest which only comes from time in His presence. A wonderful promise to us. We need only come in faith and full surrender, and He will supply the strength to live a life that honors Him.

 

 Andrew Murray says it best in his book, Abiding in Christ:

"
How little such dear souls know about this life. They don’t realize that abiding in Christ is meant for the weak and is beautifully suited to their frailty. It is not the doing of some great thing and does not demand that we first lead a very holy and devoted life. No, it is simply weakness entrusting itself to a Mighty One to be kept, the unfaithful one casting itself on One who is altogether trustworthy and true…Our part is simply to yield, to trust, and to wait for what He has promised to perform.
   -   Andrew Murray

May we learn the blessed truth of our sinfulness and His surpassing grace. May we live in such a way as to remember that His mercies are new every morning. May God speak, and we be still enough to hear and humble enough to obey.

 

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