Lord, so often my religion stops in the emotional. We sing, “O Lord, send the power just now,” and we usually mean feelings. We think if the service is especially touching, if tears flow, if we feel humbled and tender, God’s power has come upon us. Not necessarily. We must go beyond feelings to life. The prophets were most emphatic that repentance show itself in justice, in equity, in helping the fatherless and the widows, and in relieving the poor. To them, a right attitude toward God meant a kind, gracious attitude toward others. The emotional service is excellent if it serves to rend our hearts instead of our garments (Joel 2:13). If we experience a humbling before God, then straightway forget what manner of men we are, our hearts have been left unrent.
Lord, so many decisions are made today based on feelings. But once the feelings are past, we tend to return to our former ways. “A hundred people came forward!” “Scores came to the altar!” Fine and well. But does that mean a hundred broken hearts? Does it mean a hundred disciples? A hundred Christian soldiers? Lord, You need followers of the Lamb and spiritual virgins, not those who merely come forward. It is easy enough to go forward, but how crucifying to go back to Mr. So-and-so and love him for Christ’s sake!
Sackcloth and ashes, ripped clothes, and fatty sacrifices mean very little unless they are expressions of my inward rendered heart, where the very roots of my life are transformed and all mankind is made the better for it. I thank You, Lord, that when You give us the power of Your Spirit, it always is “in the inner man” (Ephesians 3:16, italics added). That is where we need it, down in the roots of our personality, where life-changing action always occurs.
“Behold, Thou dost desire truth in the innermost being, and in the hidden part Thou wilt make me know wisdom” (Psalm 51:6).
Daily with the King 