Need some extra strength today?
I do.
I was doing my morning devotional time in Hebrews this morning and I came across a passage in Hebrews 13:9 that the Lord really used in my heart. It reads like this:
9 Do not be carried away by all kinds of strange teachings. It is good for our hearts to be strengthened by grace, not by eating ceremonial foods, which is of no benefit to those who do so.
What an interesting concept; that God’s grace is actually the very thing that strengthens us. So much of the time I slip into looking inside of myself to find strength, but the gospel is not that we look within, but that we look to God to find strength. The author of Hebrews goes so far as to say, “not eating ceremonial food is of NO benefit to you.” The ceremonial foods represented their religious conquests. Their desire to appease or please God. The effort that they could put in to make themselves holy and right before him. The author of Hebrews says in no uncertain terms, “those things will never strengthen you!” In fact, I think it’s just the opposite; the desire to try to appease God will weaken you. It will drain you.
So, it begs us to ask the question, “if we are running on low (or empty) does that mean we have lost sight of grace?” As I look at my own life, the answer to that question is yes. I think I’m worn out because I’m trying to do too much on my own. I’m so grateful for the Holy Spirit’s invitation to me this morning to remember that this journey of faith is a journey of grace – from start to finish!
My prayer is that your heart might be strengthened by grace today!
