Day Twenty Seven | Lent Devotional
Reading: Mark 2, Psalm 37:27
“Depart from evil, and do good; And dwell forevermore.”
The Lord never really asks us to give something up. Instead, He asks us to exchange what we have for something better. Our reading in Psalm 37:27 says, “...depart from evil and do good”. In our struggle against sin and the flesh we too often focus on surrendering the short-term pleasure of the thing we are trying to resist. But God wants us to focus on the pleasure of the thing we are reaching for - not the thing we are leaving behind. .
There are really only two pains in life: the pain of discipline and the pain of regret. Every day we must choose one of these. The pain of discipline is a front loaded pain. short-term discomfort that produces long-term pleasure. But the pain of regret is far worse. When we indulge our flesh for short term pleasure but the long term pain of regret. The short term pain of giving up smoking is better than the long term pain of emphysema, lung cancer, and the facial skin of a dried prune.
Doing good, on the other hand, often requires us to experience some short term pain by denying the immediate gratification of our flesh. But down the road it brings a much higher and lasting pleasure - with no regret. The pain of giving up deserts and disciplining our flesh to exercise is far less than the long term pleasure of increased lung capacity, healthy joints, and wearing clothes that actually fit.
The key to overcoming the flesh is to focus on the positive thing you are reaching for instead of the negative thing you are leaving behind. God is not calling you to give up cursing, drinking, lust, over-eating, procrastination, rage, or fleshy entertainment, as much as He is asking you to exchange it for something better.
One way to do this is by filling your time with people and activities that reinforce the positive image you are seeking to achieve. You are never going to reach the mountaintop if you surround yourself with people who are content to live in the valley you are trying to escape. This means we must be intentional about the things we choose to watch, the people we choose to associate with, and the environments we choose to be in.
This may seem like a lot of “work”. But think of it this way. You are already working to fill your life with people, things, and activities. These things are producing the results you are currently experiencing. All the Lord is asking you to do is to use the same effort to fill your life with people, things, and activities that are far better for you in the long run. He is asking you to exchange the bad for the good. One day and one decision at a time.
Pray this out loud:
“Father, I boldly declare that you have made me the righteousness of God in Christ. I ask you to forgive my choices to avoid the pain of discipline for the short term pleasure of sin. I declare this day that sin shall not have dominion over me. For God is at work within me to choose and to do according to His good pleasure. Father, in the Name of Jesus I offer my body and mind to you as instruments of righteousness.
God has not given me a spirit of fear, but a spirit of power, love and a disciplined mind! I am well able to make good decisions today because my Helper, the Holy Spirit, is working for me right now, giving me the power and desire to depart from evil and do good. In Jesus’ mighty Name, Amen!”
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