WHEN I was young, like most young people, I really didn’t have a mind for “spiritual things,” there were just too many other distractions and entertainments; and besides, it seemed to me it required a degree of discipline where I could not necessarily see a benefit. I was raised in a Christian home, so Bible stories were heard and examples were observed, but apart from an occasional peaking of interest from one of the more interesting stories or seeing someone who might display what it really meant to “be a Christian,” I was pretty much disinterested through much of my youth. One thing however that I do recall — I remember always being someone curious about the many accounts recorded in the Bible of the Lord Jesus going off alone, usually early in the morning, in prayer or whatever He was doing. I noticed it was something He practiced that others didn’t, either in His time or in mine. Although I did heard others encourage or talk about the practice, it was only in later years in my current circle that I found others who actually endeavored in this spiritual discipline, quiet time alone with our Father.
I’M not sure why I’m bringing this up this morning. This has been somewhat of a year of reflection, especially as I think about this blog and frequent counseling I do. I often think about what it takes to have a healthy and effective Christian walk, particular in light of the catechism question regarding How is the Word made effectual to salvation (Q89). (If you haven’t read it recently, I suggest you do so now: https://captivethoughts.net/westminster-shorter-catechism-q89/
I RECALL a conversation with my pastor about recurring troubled individuals we’ve encountered and counseled over time, and I couldn’t help but think of that catechism question #89, thinking on all the riches we own in Christ gone “underutilized” and unrealized by those various individuals by choice. Then I think of others like my beloved step-father or various other godly men and women I’ve known these many years, and their rock-solid faith and quiet confidence in Christ (Isa 30:15). Their continuous inner strength just didn’t just happen.
IF you go to WSC Q89, then comes Question 90: How is the Word to be read and heard, that it may become effectual to salvation? The answer is: That the Word may become effectual to salvation, we must attend thereunto with diligence, preparation, and prayer; receive it with faith and love, lay it up in our hearts, and practice it in our lives. When I read that now, I know why my Lord got up early in the morning to get alone with His heavenly Father; why priority one is sound biblical teaching rightly understood, internalized and applied unto a profitable life of faith (2Tim 3:16-17).
You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You.
Isa. 26:3
I AM guessing in my youth, observing those occasions in Scripture and sermon where the Lord went away to be alone first thing everyday, I must have been thinking what is He doing, and why; what does He know that I do not that he would go through that kind of effort to do that kind of thing? Well, I’ve come to the answer. If we are going to have the kind of life that can say with quiet confidence “never-the-less, thy will be done” no matter what kind of pressure or difficulty we face, if the joy of the Lord is truly to be our strength in every circumstance, we must attend thereunto [to the Word and nearness of our God] with diligence, preparation, and prayer; receive it with faith and love, lay it up in our hearts, and practice it in our lives. There are no short-cuts, silver bullets, or magic pills to true spiritual growth that leads to a confident Christian Life.
NEXT week, we’ll return to our study in Principles of Spiritual Growth, and enter into Chapter 8 titled Identification, another importance topic concerning growth in Christ. For now, have a blessed Thanksgiving weekend with family and friends, especially in your Lord’s Day worship.
With highest regards in Christ,
Joe
Neh. 8:10; Isa. 30:15; Jas. 1:2
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