God's Table

Friday, May 3, 2024

  Good morning, Lord

Verse of the Day: 1 John 5:14-15

Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him.

Memory verse: Psalm 90:14

14 Satisfy us in the morning with your steadfast love, that we may rejoice and be glad all our days.  

Today's reading: 1 KINGS 16-18 LUKE 22:47-71

God's Table of Elements

My grandson and I were talking about the periodic table of elements and I thought of Galatians 5:22&23-the fruit of the Spirit.(I know, sounds like a stretch, but bear with me). But then I think of Romans 5, verse:

 3 Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4 perseverance, character; and character, hope.

My question was, "Why are not perseverance, character, and hope included in the fruit of the Spirit?" These three are produced by suffering; that's what Romans 5:3 says.

God's basic elements are in Galatians 5:22&23-The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, goodness, kindness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self control...

There is nothing in these 9 fruits about strength or power-or perseverance or character or hope- why?

I believe that is because the Fruit of the Spirit are God's basic table of His elements poured into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, starting with Love in Romans 5:

5 "And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us."

In suffering and heartache and victory, the Holy Spirit uses His fruit to establish in us His perseverance, character, and hope.

Acts 1:8

8 "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you..."

There is so much to wrap our heads around here but, simply(and there is nothing really simple about the working of God) the Holy Spirit empowers us to use His fruit as ingredients for His righteous heart in us-for us to be conformed into the image of Christ(Romans 8:29) filled with growing perseverance, character, and hope.

There is much at God's table of elements-Psalm 23-"He prepares a table before me"

-God's table-Romans 8:32 "...how will He not also along with Christ Jesus(Him) graciously give us all things?"

And so we pray:

"Satisfy us in the morning with your steadfast love, that we may rejoice and be glad all our days."   Psalm 90:14

There is so much we have to learn and take in-spend as much time at God's table as it takes...

...because He loves us...

Father in Heaven,

I am so lax in my study of Your word, forgive me. Fill me with more desire, dear Lord.

Be my heart ,oh great and merciful God,

In Jesus' name,

Amen