Aim Eagerly

Wednesday, February 7, 2024

Good morning, Lord

Verse of the Day:   Proverbs 21:21

He who follows righteousness and mercy Finds life, righteousness, and honor.

Memory verse: Romans 8:32 ►He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?

Today's reading: LEVITICUS 1-3 MATTHEW 24:1-28

Aim Eagerly

Proverbs 21:21

He who follows righteousness and mercy Finds life, righteousness, and honor.

'He who follows'-this 'follows' translates 'aiming eagerly to secure'.

First, it is obvious that this verse says that if a man eagerly aims to secure righteousness, he will find righteousness. This says so much more:

Philippians 3:9 And be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith—

The Voice translation puts it like this:

2 Corinthians 5:21 He orchestrated this: the Anointed One, who had never experienced sin, became sin for us so that in Him we might embody the very righteousness of God.

The key to this 'righteousness' is the 'eager' part. To pursue with great vigor and even excitement should be our attitude.

So what if we do not have that excitement? The answer to gaining excitement to eagerly gain Christ Jesus is found in the commitment to seeking.

Psalm 37:4 ►Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart.

1.) Set your heart to the goal of finding delight in the Lord

2.) Make a plan for yourself of your seeking- prayer, study, Bible reading, memorization, meditation--

Seeking mercy along with the righteousness, well, I believe mercy is the heart of God in compassion, kindness, and forgiveness. Seeking to gain Christ is seeking to live righteously and mercifully.

Aim eagerly...

...because He loves us...

Father in Heaven,

 I am so far from where I need to be because of bad decisions and self getting in the way. Forgive me. Fill me with eagerness to gain Christ and Your righteousness.

Patient and forgiving God and friend,

In the name of Christ Jesus,

Amen