Corona Devo 1186

Seeking to pursue a godly/righteous/God-pleasing life

 vs. 

The pull, the haggle, the temptation and the being-overtaken of sin

Can they coexist?

Haven't they always? 

The juxtaposition of these two--this wanting to run unfettered for Christ, while (at the same time) having enemies (people and temptations) intending and presenting actual/symbolic/emotional/mental/spiritual/physical hurdles for us to overcome...this is the rhythm of earthly life, whether we want to accept it or not.  

Whether we want to gird-our-loins-for-God in preparation for it or not.  (Thou therefore gird up thy loins, and arise, and speak unto them all that I command thee...  ~Jeremiah 1:17).

Whether we will admit it or not.  

This dichotomy has always been the dance of mortals: this seeking-to-obtain-one-existence, while battling and holding-at-arms-length an opposite existence.  Since the very first two humans in the Garden of Eden tasted the fruit that God had asked them not to...the two (good and evil) have always coexisted. 

It's always been the way, and will always be the way for us on earth until we one day leave the Good vs. Evil battle to enter into the rest from it: So there is a special rest still waiting for the people of God.  (Hebrews 4:9).

What we battle today has always been the challenge of men and women...since there were men and women.  

As toddlers, before we could understand or explain why we were shouting "Mine!"...we were shouting "Mine!".  

Can good and evil coexist?  

They always have.  Our duty is to master the coexistence of good and evil (choices, people, thoughts) without succumbing to them.

Sin whispers to all of our hearts.  Don't listen.

~~~

Sin whispers to the wicked, deep within their hearts.  They have no fear of God at all. 

(2) In their blind conceit, they cannot see how wicked they really are.  

(3) Everything they say is crooked and deceitful.  They refuse to act wisely or do good.  

(4) They lie awake at night, hatching sinful plots.  Their actions are never good.  They make no attempt to turn from evil.  ~Psalm 35:1-4

~~~

Sin whispers to all of our hearts.  Don't listen.

Coexisting with wickedness around us is God.  His love, His faithfulness, His righteousness,  His justice. 

If we can not-choose sin, and not-choose to join-in sin, and not-choose to fall-to sin--for long-enough, then before-long, and all-life-long and all-eternity-long---instead of sin, we will see You, Father.  

But in a world of good vs. evil, how can we possibly fathom these benevolent characteristics of our Lord?

Look around to experience Him and the characteristics of His love and power for us and over us.  Nature is more than we can channel, harness, or explain, which is why it is the perfect venue to "describe" and experience our Heavenly Father.

See the expanse of the sky, the stars, the clouds...  Your unfailing love, O Lord, is as vast as the heavens, your faithfulness reaches beyond the clouds...  ~Psalm 36:5

See the majesty and unreachable height of the tallest mountain...    Your righteousness is like the mighty mountains... ~Psalm 36:6

Experience the deep, the mystery, and the variable of the ocean...   ...your justice like the ocean depths.  ~Psalm 36:6

We are here today, Lord.  Present with the choices of sin, just as so many before us have always been.  The coexistence of good and evil is undeniable.  But sin does not stand alone, and sin does not stand strong.  Your love, Your faithfulness, Your righteousness and justice muffle them., dwarf them, overcome them.  If we so choose (You).

Your unfailing love, O Lord, is as vast as the heavens; your faithfulness reaches beyond the clouds.  

(6) Your righteousness is like the mighty mountains, your justice like the ocean depths.  You care for people and animals alike, O Lord.  

(7) How precious is your unfailing love, O God!  All humanity finds shelter in the shadow of your wings.  

(8) You feed them from the abundance of your own house, letting them drink from your river of delights.  

(9) For you are the fountain of life, the light by which we see.  

(10) Pour out your unfailing love on those who love you; give justice to those with honest hearts.  

(11) Don’t let the proud trample me or the wicked push me around.  (12) Look! Those who do evil have fallen!  They are thrown down, never to rise again.  ~Psalm 36:5-12

Heavenly Father, loosen the grip, the intimidation, the seduction and the captivity of sin in our lives.  Sin whispers, but today we choose to be under its spell no longer.  Sin is ever-present, but You, O King are prevalent!  You are Master over sin and over us.  Shelter us in the shadow of your wings today, Lord!  For you are the fountain of life, the light by which we see.  We know the battle of good vs. evil today, Father, for we have lived it many days prior, but today we will have victory in You, Lord.  Pour out your unfailing love on those who love you; give justice to those with honest hearts.  Amen (Psalm 36:1, 7, 9, 10).

Blessings,

sarah

https://sarahsundy04.blogspot.com