Quickly change the pattern of your life.
Dear COAH,
As we begin a new year, we must continue to hold on to God's Word and prayer. The Word enriches our spiritual life, and prayer keeps our hearts in God. A life that neglects to read the Word and does not give it importance is based on a clear choice to move toward spiritual emptiness. And we know that such a choice will inevitably lead us to spiritual bankruptcy. That's why we must intentionally keep God's Word close at hand and on our hearts at all times.
The psalmist said that the blessed person 'delights in the law of the LORD and meditates on his statutes day and night' (Ps. 1:2). The word 'meditate' here means not only to ponder the meaning of the Word but also to share it with others by talking about it. Old Testament scholar John Goldingay translated this verse as "he talks about his (Yahweh's) teaching day and night." I pray that we will all experience a rich spiritual life in the new year by talking about God's Word at home, our Life Group, and our entire church community.
We must also hold fast to prayer. Prayer is not only about making our wishes known to God and asking God's favor but also our declaration of faith and trust in God. Those who pray believe in God, and those who don't pray only believe in themselves. That is the bottom line. In the Bible, King Saul is a classic example of someone who trusted in himself and did not pray. Of course, he failed miserably in life.
In contrast, King David was a prime example of a person who believed in and relied on God, even amid sin and brokenness. The most fundamental difference between their lives is the presence or absence of prayer. We see Saul's life as without prayer and David's as with prayer.
It's important to pray, but we should 'always pray in the Spirit' (Eph. 6:18). Paul said, 'For we do not know how to pray, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings that words cannot express (Rom 8:26). What would it be like to experience the Spirit's groaning in our hearts? Not all prayers are answered, and not all are good prayers to begin with; only prayers offered in the Spirit are genuine.
Dear brothers and sisters, as we begin this new year, are you in the Word and prayer? If not, I hope you will quickly change the pattern of your life so that you will be soaked in the Word and prayer. Why don't you start coming out to Saturday morning prayers?
Blessings,
Pastor Minho Song