The day was dark as the duties chimed on. Why was gloom guiding rather than God? Unlike my usual disposition, this dusting upon my soul was disruptive. 

Why art thou cast down, O my soul? And why art thou disquieted within me? Hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him for the help of his countenance. Ps. 42:5

Taking this concern to Christ, devilish thoughts were discovered. Skydiving into my mind were missiles loaded with accusative messages. You should be doing more was the theme. The enemy tried tuning my tasks to the scales of self-worth. Attempting to replace the sacrifice of Christ Jesus with a work evaluation, Satan’s symphony played songs of death and despair.

What forged this foolishness into play? A submarine of truth surfaced while in prayer and Scripture. It all stemmed from studying Foxe’s Book of Martyrs when the devil tried to twist courage into comparison. Derailing my attention from the martyr’s faith, the devil developed a case for competition. Taking me into the chambers of interrogation, my life in Christ was assaulted.  What began as a walk along the wall of faith turned into a war on my own worth! This wasn’t the first sword fight in this arena. It’s been the enemy’s slick maneuver whenever extraordinary experiences of missionaries and evangelists are highlighted. The taunting of not doing my part has been the devil’s tool for years. 

For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. Heb. 4:12

And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Eph. 6:17

How do I know this was the enemy’s bugle and not a signal from God? Condemnation. God’s call stirs enthusiasm not criticism. There is a delight in doing God’s will for it is not burdensome. If guilt is a motivator, the law is leading, not grace. Jesus is the fulfillment of the law; therefore the Spirit guides our life paths in love.

There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. Romans 8:1-2

I delight to do thy will, O my God: Yea, thy law is within my heart. Ps. 40:8

For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous. 1 Jn. 5:3

Crazy as it sounds, if not cognizant, even the good deeds of others can put grace in reverse. We all must be careful nothing takes over God’s reserved parking spot in our minds and hearts. As we know, subtle is the serpent who slips statements in our minds to offset God’s glory. However,  his tongue stopped lying as Scripture saved me. 

Faithful is the Word which refocused my soul and doused the despairing spirit. Ceasing the war with Me, Myself and I, Christ set up His banner. Now, before this battle song concludes, you and I need to be ready for more attacks. Why? Me, Myself and I can still be snared into self-righteousness.

For, lo, he that formeth the mountains, and createth the wind, and declareth unto man what is his thought, that maketh the morning darkness, and treadeth upon the high places of the earth, The LORD, The God of hosts, is his name. Amos 4:13

He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings. And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the LORD. Blessed is that man that maketh the LORD his trust, and respecteth not the proud, nor such as turn aside to lies. Ps. 40:2-4

We will rejoice in thy salvation, and in the name of our God we will set up our banners: the LORD fulfill all thy petitions. Ps. 20:5

The Bell of Self-Righteousness

The bell of self-righteousness never stops ringing. We see it has been an ancient sin which robbed Job’s joy as well. 

We pity the man who became a pauper in the blink of an eye. However, Job’s loss was only the hard crust of a larger problem. Digging deeper, the root cause was pride. Job assumed he deserved to eat off his platter of good deeds. Little did he know, linking happiness with people’s respect produced sorrow’s dough. Sharing bread baked with Pharisee leaven, Job left God’s grace out of the recipe of redemption.

He beholdeth all things: he is a king over all the children of pride. Job 41:34

And he charged them, saying Take heed, beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, and of the leaven of Herod. Mk. 8:15

Then understood they how that he bade them not beware of the leaven of bread, but of the doctrine of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees. Matt. 16:12

But all their works they do for to be seen of men: they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments, And love the uppermost rooms at feasts, and the chief seats in the synagogues. Matt. 23:5-6

Your glorying is not good. Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump? 1 Cor. 5:6

  Danced into Despondency

Review Job’s discourse in chapter 29. It warrants a theme of Me, Myself and I approximately forty-nine times. While supporting his cause, “I” is spoken 19 times, “me” 14 times and “my” 16 times. No wonder Job danced into despondency when his blessings were removed. He was glued to the law instead of grasping the Gospel. Job’s accomplishments were accustomed to playing the notes of a good reputation in his community. Obviously being consumed with shining his armor, Job’s reflection replaced God’s grace. Stripped of accomplishments, Job laid naked before God. Up until this time, Job only heard about God, but after 41 chapters of debate, his spiritual eyes beheld his Savior. After this transformation, Job’s life was restored. It is a good reminder how self-righteousness damages one’s relationship with Christ Jesus. Anytime self-esteem gazes in the mirror of admiration it escapes grace, and it weakens. As self goes solo, it loses strength, left to compose only songs of sadness.

Oh that I were as in months past, as in the days when God preserved me. When I washed my steps with butter, and the rock poured me out of rivers of oil. Job 30:2,6

When I went out to the gate through the city, when I prepared my seat in the street! The young men saw me, and hid themselves: and the aged arose, and stood up. The princes refrained talking, and laid their hand on their mouth. The nobles held their peace, and their tongue cleaved to the roof of their mouth. When the ear heard me, then it blessed me; and when the eye saw me, it gave witness to me. Because I delivered the poor that cried, and the fatherless, and him that had none to help him. Job. 29:7-12

Moreover the LORD answered Job, and said, Shall he that contendeth with the Almighty instruct him? He that reproveth God, let him answer it. Job 40:1-2

Against Job was his wrath kindled, because he justified himself rather than God. Job 32:2

I have heard of thee by the hearing of the ear: but now mine eye seeth thee. Wherefore I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes. Job 42:5-6

Grace Dons Our Self With Worth

Gloating over good works is an orchestra harmonized in weakness. Without the Holy Spirit’s strength, we are left with shredded strands, unfit to praise our Savior. Like broken instruments, our hearts lament. Who repairs and restores our brokenness? Grace alone. Grace heals and dons our self with worth. Grace equips us for service. For in Christ Jesus we are created and prepared for our earthly purpose. All merit goes to our King. Therefore, when productivity is paralyzed, refuse the bread crusted with pride. Pull Me, Myself and I off the podium. As the enemy equates a meaningful existence with performance, exit his auditorium. Above all, stay in step with the Spirit, for when the dance is with Jesus, joy will light the ballroom of your heart. 

But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly that they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me. 1 Cor. 15:10

That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. For by grace are ye saved through faith, and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus. Unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. Eph. 2:7-10

For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. Romans 8:2-4

Weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning. Ps. 30:5

For thou art my lamp, O LORD: and the LORD will lighten my darkness. 2 Sam. 22:29

I am the light of the world, he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life. Jn. 8:12

If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Gal. 5:25

Behold, God is my salvation, I will trust, and not be afraid: for the LORD JEHOVAH is my strength and my song; he also is become my salvation. Therefore with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation. And in that day shall ye say, Praise the LORD, call upon his name, declare his doings among the people, make mention that his name is exalted. Is. 12:2-4