I FIRMLY RESOLVE

“Oh, that I might be firm in the ways of keeping Your statutes!” –Psalm 119:5

Is your Ash Wednesday Lenten resolve still firm or are temptations wearing down your self-denial? Our weak flesh is vulnerable to the relentless pressures of temptation. We desire to do what is right, but we don’t have the power (see Rm 7:18). Our old, sinful nature rebels against our new, redeemed nature. There’s a civil war raging inside us (see Jas 4:1). What wretches we are! (Rm 7:24) “Who can free” us? (Rm 7:24)

Jesus has set us free (Jn 8:36). He freed us for lifelong liberty (Gal 5:1). He shattered the bonds of sin that held us bound, and gave us new life and risen power (Col 2:13-14). Praise Jesus!

Yet we still live in human bodies and are weak flesh. We live a risen life (Col 3:1), yet we are subject to temptation, just as Jesus was (Mt 4:1ff; Heb 4:15). With the psalmist, we pray to be firm in resisting temptation (Ps 119:5, 11). We must ask Jesus to “increase our faith” (Lk 17:5), for unless our faith is firm, we will not be firm (Is 7:9).

Jesus “is able to help those who are tempted” (Heb 2:18). Ask Him to immerse you in the Holy Spirit (Jn 7:37-39), Who fights against the temptations of the flesh (Gal 5:17). “My point is that you should live in accord with the Spirit and you will not yield to the cravings of the flesh” (Gal 5:16). “So stand firm, and do not take on yourselves the yoke of slavery a second time!” (Gal 5:1)

PRAYER: Father, “I firmly resolve, with the help of Thy grace, to sin no more, and to avoid the near occasion of sin.”
PROMISE: “You will be a people sacred to the Lord, your God, as He promised.” –Dt 26:19
PRAISE: While job hunting, Peter turned down job offers that would have presented temptations to him.