Cedars

​In the New Testament there is a little book called Galatians.  In chapter 5 verses 16-26 is a powerful contrast between what our sinful nature produces and what God’s Spirit produces.  I can tell myself I’m a pretty good guy and try to live in my own power but let’s face it—the end result reeks.  My mind lusts, my eyes covet, my nature is inherently selfish. In short, there is a war going on. Every person on this planet is engaged daily in war—Flesh against Spirit.  Whenever I choose the side of Flesh, life invariably gets miserable and all hell breaks loose.  Whenever I yield to God’s Spirit, life becomes joyful and all heaven breaks loose. This is not an oversimplification of a classic struggle, just the confessions of a battle veteran.  

​Meditation
Galatians 5:16,17-- I say then, walk by the Spirit and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh.  For the flesh desires what is against the Spirit, and the Spirit desires what is against the flesh; these are opposed to each other, so that you don’t do what you want.
 
When the Holy Spirit is in charge, sin has no chance to live.  The Bible says the Christian has been given a deposit—the Holy Spirit.  He is One who guarantees that eventually our war with sin will end and God will give us new bodies, sin-free bodies.  Until that final victory—be a cedar!
 
Inspiration
The cedars of Lebanon have such extraordinary power of life that instead of nourishing parasites they kill them, the life within is so strong and so robust that instead of feeding the parasites they choke them off.  God grant that we may be so filled with His life, may flourish as the cedars of Lebanon, so that He can trust us down in all the dark, difficult places among the souls of our fellow human beings and be able to pour His tremendous health and power through us.—Oswald Chambers in Workmen of God
 
©1998Daniel York  ARR.  Reveration is the weekly devotional ministry of First Cause.  If you would like to receive these devotionals go to www.firstcause.org and click on the “Click here to receive weekly devotionals” box. Unlimited permission to copy this devotional without altering text or profiteering is allowed subject to inclusion of this copyright notice.      
 
Ecclesiastes 12:10-The Teacher sought to find delightful sayings and to accurately write words of truth.  (Holman CSB)