Growing With God

GROWING WITH GOD

Miss Sims taught the third grade Sunday school class. One morning she was struggling to teach them the importance of cleanliness – personal cleanliness and Godly cleanliness. She spent a considerable amount of time in her effort to compare germs and bacteria to disobedience and sin.

After going to great lengths to make what she thought was a good comparison she asked her class, “Cleanliness is next to what?”

“Impossible!” shouted Blair.

What an honest answer! So many of us seem to have a difficult time trying to survive the temptations of life. We read God’s Word, understand His expectations, and ask Him to keep us from sin. Then, just when we think we have life under control – it happens once again. The power of temptation is greater than our faith in God and we fall into sin. Living a godly life does seem next to impossible.

In Psalm 71 the author writes, “You will restore my life once again.” Though we fail He will not forsake us. If we fall He will lift us. Any time and every time. There is no limit to the grace of God for those who love Him, seek His guidance and look to Him for His cleansing.

God offers us the presence and power of the risen Christ to face the temptations of life. And He offers us His strength – which can never be exhausted. He offers us His love – which endures forever. He offers us His salvation – which can never be taken from us. And He offers us His forgiveness – which continually restores us.

Prayer: How grateful we are, Father, that Your mercy does not depend on our goodness but on Your love and grace. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today: Psalm 71 …Though you have made me see troubles, many and bitter, you will restore my life again; from the depths of the earth you will again bring me up…