Demolition

This week's devotion is authored by James Blake, prayer co-coordinator for our ministry expansion campaign.

“For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, that according to the riches of His glory He may grant you to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith — that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.” Ephesians 3:14-19

“In the process of sanctification, the Spirit of God will strip me down until there is nothing left but myself, and that is the place of death. Am I willing to be myself and nothing more?” Oswald Chambers

God demands a purity in our hearts that is impossible unless we allow the source of our nature to change. To be remade within, which is what Jesus has finished with His redemption, requires a demolition. The struggle is that this must be our daily request (Psalm 51:10); the blessing is that this work is not our own (Philippians 2:13; Ephesians 2:8). It is my weakness and obedience; it is His purity (Matthew 5:8) and His power (Psalm 46:10). This is the source of our new motives and the confidence that Paul describes in the fourth chapter of his letter: “I can do all things through him who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13).

But what does this look like? Picture a warhorse that is slow to anger; a powerful witness to the resurrection and redemption power of our Savior; meekness (Matthew 5:5), for it is the Spirit of God (Matthew 5:3) that changes hearts.

What does this require? Picture obedience and demolition — a daily desire for a stripped-down version of just myself and God’s purpose for me. Let’s take back from the world the meaning of obedience and emulate Jesus’ relationship with His Father — obedience because you are a child of God, not to become a child of God.

So let’s grab our hardhats and pardon the dust; His good work has already begun!

O grant that nothing in my soul

may dwell, but Thy pure love alone;

Oh, may Thy love possess me whole,

My joy, my treasure, and my crown!

All coldness from my heart remove;

My ev'ry act, word, thought, be love.

This love unwearied I pursue

And dauntlessly to Thee aspire.

Oh, may Thy love my hope renew,

Burn in my soul like heav'nly fire!

And day and night, be all my care

To guard this sacred treasure there.

Jesus, Thy Boundless Love to Me

LSB Hymn 683, Stanzas 2 & 3

About Mindful Monday Devotions

In our season of celebration with Tell the Wonders He Has Done, we continue in our prayerful focus as we look to the months and years ahead with thanksgiving. Join us as we remain in God's strong Word each Monday morning.