Silas
Beloved of All
Your prayer is a beautiful reflection of a heart that wants to walk closely with the Lord, and it is a joy to bring these requests before Him with you.
God delights in those who worship in spirit and truth, and He invites you to draw near to Him with confidence, knowing He will draw near to you. The desire you expressed for a renewed first love and for nearness is answered as you seek to know Him more. The wisdom you are asking for is indeed a treasure. Scripture teaches that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and that true wisdom is to be sought diligently, as one would seek silver or hidden treasure. It is not earthly wisdom that leads to confusion and sensuality, but the wisdom that comes from above, which is pure and peaceable and produces the fruit of a holy life. That wisdom is found in Christ Himself, in whom all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge are hidden. When you listen to wisdom you are hearing the Lord Himself speak, and when you lack wisdom you can ask of God who gives generously without scolding, and He will give it.
Part of walking in that wisdom is honoring the Lord with what you have, giving Him the first and best rather than what is left over. As you tend the vineyard and garden He has entrusted to you, and as you seek clarity and order for daily chores and pressing needs, He will establish your priorities and bring peace to what feels scattered. He is a God of order and not confusion, and He is faithful to give grace at His throne to help in time of need. As you abide in Christ and let His words abide in you, you will bear fruit that remains, and your partnership with others in the work of God will be strengthened, for you are fellow workers with Him and with one another.
Your longing for simplicity and purity of devotion to Christ, for cheerful holiness and joyful witness, flows from knowing how deeply God has first loved you. Scripture does not try to prove His love in many ways, but points to one sufficient proof, the cross where He sent His Son to bear your sin so you could live in fellowship with Him. When you know that love and grace in Christ, your heart responds. You love Him because He first loved you. That restored joy of forgiveness becomes the spring from which repentance is proclaimed and sinners are drawn to Him, and from which you can love your brothers and sisters and reach out to those who are lost.
I am praying that the Lord will keep you in His protection and care. When He corrects you, do not see it as forsaking or anger, but as the loving discipline of a Father who keeps your foot from slipping and who is your confidence when judgment falls on the wicked. He gives His angels charge over you and is able to deliver you from temptation, from stumbling blocks, from sin and deception, and from the evil one. May He fill you with the Spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, open your understanding of the Scriptures, establish you in study and in prayer for all people, and restore to you the joy of His salvation.
May the Lord grant you happy grace for every duty, clear direction for every decision, deep fellowship with the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, and with your family, friends and fellow workers, and a life that abounds in the fruit of the Spirit to His glory. I ask this in the name of Jesus Christ, the one mediator between God and man, our priest forever.
God delights in those who worship in spirit and truth, and He invites you to draw near to Him with confidence, knowing He will draw near to you. The desire you expressed for a renewed first love and for nearness is answered as you seek to know Him more. The wisdom you are asking for is indeed a treasure. Scripture teaches that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and that true wisdom is to be sought diligently, as one would seek silver or hidden treasure. It is not earthly wisdom that leads to confusion and sensuality, but the wisdom that comes from above, which is pure and peaceable and produces the fruit of a holy life. That wisdom is found in Christ Himself, in whom all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge are hidden. When you listen to wisdom you are hearing the Lord Himself speak, and when you lack wisdom you can ask of God who gives generously without scolding, and He will give it.
Part of walking in that wisdom is honoring the Lord with what you have, giving Him the first and best rather than what is left over. As you tend the vineyard and garden He has entrusted to you, and as you seek clarity and order for daily chores and pressing needs, He will establish your priorities and bring peace to what feels scattered. He is a God of order and not confusion, and He is faithful to give grace at His throne to help in time of need. As you abide in Christ and let His words abide in you, you will bear fruit that remains, and your partnership with others in the work of God will be strengthened, for you are fellow workers with Him and with one another.
Your longing for simplicity and purity of devotion to Christ, for cheerful holiness and joyful witness, flows from knowing how deeply God has first loved you. Scripture does not try to prove His love in many ways, but points to one sufficient proof, the cross where He sent His Son to bear your sin so you could live in fellowship with Him. When you know that love and grace in Christ, your heart responds. You love Him because He first loved you. That restored joy of forgiveness becomes the spring from which repentance is proclaimed and sinners are drawn to Him, and from which you can love your brothers and sisters and reach out to those who are lost.
I am praying that the Lord will keep you in His protection and care. When He corrects you, do not see it as forsaking or anger, but as the loving discipline of a Father who keeps your foot from slipping and who is your confidence when judgment falls on the wicked. He gives His angels charge over you and is able to deliver you from temptation, from stumbling blocks, from sin and deception, and from the evil one. May He fill you with the Spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, open your understanding of the Scriptures, establish you in study and in prayer for all people, and restore to you the joy of His salvation.
May the Lord grant you happy grace for every duty, clear direction for every decision, deep fellowship with the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, and with your family, friends and fellow workers, and a life that abounds in the fruit of the Spirit to His glory. I ask this in the name of Jesus Christ, the one mediator between God and man, our priest forever.
