| Last month we talked about self-denial, about turning our eyes from our own comforts and desires to knowing and following Christ. How are you doing with all that? From my own experience, I know that any attempts at self-denial will be met with great temptation. Satan does not want me to deny myself anything! And he certainly does not want me to turn my eyes and desires toward Jesus.
One morning after a day in which I had tried to make food a source of comfort, I felt God’s direction to write a liturgy on which I could focus when I felt tempted to self-indulge rather than God-indulge. So, this month, I would like to share that liturgy with you just in case any of you struggle with similar temptations or misdirected desires. Here it is:
MY HUNGRY DAY LITURGY
I HUNGER AND THIRST
I hunger and I thirst;
Jesus, my manna be;
Ye living waters, burst
Out of the rock for me.
Thou bruised and broken Bread,
My lifelong wants supply;
As living souls are fed,
O feed me, or I die.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. (Mt. 5:6)
“Self-indulgence is the enemy of gratitude, and self-discipline usually its friend and generator. That is why gluttony is a deadly sin. The early desert fathers believed that a person's appetites are linked: full stomachs and jaded palates take the edge from our hunger and thirst for righteousness. They spoil the appetite for God.” – Cornelius Plantinga, Jr. |
If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. (Mark 8:34)
“Only in a life of moderation and self-denial will there be sufficient heart and strength to pray much . . . Fasting helps to express, to deepen, and to confirm the resolution that we are ready to sacrifice anything, even ourselves, to attain the Kingdom of God.” – Andrew Murray |
LORD, SPEAK TO ME
Lord, speak to me, that I may speak
In living echoes of Thy tone;
As Thou hast sought, so let me seek
Thy erring children lost and lone.
O lead me, Lord, that I may lead
The wandering and the wavering feet;
O feed me, Lord, that I may feed
Thy hungering ones with manna sweet.
O fill me with Thy fullness, Lord,
Until my very heart o'erflow
In kindling thought and glowing word,
Thy love to tell, Thy praise to show.
O use me, Lord, use even me,
Just as Thou wilt, and when, and where,
Until Thy blessed face I see,
Thy rest, Thy joy, Thy glory share!
Why spend money on what is not bread, and your labor on what does not satisfy? Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good and your soul will delight in the richest of fare. Isaiah 55:2
“Fasting feeds your faith . . . Your confidence begins to deepen. Your hope begins to rise, for you know you are doing what pleases the Lord. Your willingness to deny self and voluntarily to take up this added cross kindles an inner joy. Your faith begins to lay hold of God's promise more simply and more firmly.” – Wesley Duewel |
So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God . (1 Cor. 10:31)
HALLELUJAH! I HAVE FOUND HIM
All my life long I had panted
For a draught from some cool spring,
That I hoped would quench the burning
Of the thirst I felt within.
Chorus: Hallelujah! I have found Him
Whom my soul so long has craved!
Jesus satisfies my longings;
Through His life I now am saved.
Feeding on the husks around me,
Till my strength was almost gone,
Longed my soul for something better,
Only still to hunger on.
Well of water, ever springing,
Bread of life, so rich and free,
Untold wealth that never faileth,
My Redeemer is to me.
NOTES: All hymns taken from www.hymnal.net
The idea for writing a topic-driven liturgy came from a December 2008 Discipleship Journal in which was an article by a woman who was struggling with anxiety and wrote a “Sleepless Night Liturgy” to calm her and to focus her thoughts on Christ.
What do you think? I have found that reading and meditating on these truths helps to direct my thought to the source of my true satisfaction, joy, and fulfillment. What is it that you sometimes struggle with in terms of temptation or self-indulgence? Maybe you can write your own liturgy that will serve to direct your thoughts God-ward. As our thoughts go, so go our actions.
Blessings on you during this season of grace and mercy.
Bev
http://www.beverlyvankampen.com
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