READING: 1 Kings 4, Proverbs 1-2, Psalm 43, Romans 9
We could spend days discussing stuff from Romans 9. For example, we could talk about Paul’s almost-unbelievable burden for his people—so deep that he would be willing to be accursed for them. Or, we could spend time wrestling with God’s election of His people. The story is all about Him, after all.
But, that’s not where the Word halted me today. Instead, it was in the first verse of Romans 9: “I speak the truth in Christ—I am not lying; my conscience testifies to me through the Holy Spirit.” Paul confirmed what he said, knowing that Christ lived in him. To say anything less than the truth when God lives in you would make little sense—and Paul knew that. In addition, though, Paul knew the peace of the Holy Spirit’s confirming his heart and his words. He knew the freedom that comes when the Holy Spirit affirms our words and our actions.
I trust we know that peace, too – like, the peace of obedience when we’ve rejected temptation, the peace of reconciliation in a broken relationship, the peace of knowing you said what you needed to say regardless of the risk, the peace of sleeping well at night because you walked with God in the day. It’s sweet indeed when the Spirit gives us clarity and confidence in our conscience.
PRAYER: “Lord, help us to live in integrity today. May Your Spirit in us confirm Your leading and protection.”
TOMORROW’S READING: Weekend is for catch-up and review