December 20, 2023
"I have set the Lord continually before me; Because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken. Therefore my heart is glad and my glory rejoices; My flesh also will dwell securely. For You will not abandon my soul to Sheol; Nor will You allow Your Holy One to undergo decay. You will make known to me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; In Your right hand there are pleasures forever."
Though Jesus was yet to be born, Mary had already submissively allowed Him to cultivate in her an attitude of wholehearted absolute surrender to the Heavenly Father. That’s what it takes to have God’s most abundant favor. Finding “fullness of joy” in God’s presence is how we were created to flourish (Psalm 16:11).
Is there room for Jesus in the “inn” of your heart? (Luke 2:7) Can He find a peaceful “place that /He/ may rest” in you? (Isaiah 66:1) Or has all the glitz and glamour of worldly attractions robbed both Him and you of that exceeding joy? Turn your heart toward Him now. Give Him your undivided attention and tell Him He is worth more than you could ever give.
Lord, I humble myself before You. Help me “cleanse /myself/ from all defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of /You/” (2 Corinthians 7:1) I surrender my heart to You afresh. Transform my desires to line up with Your will. Help me be still and know You are God, and that You’ve got all things under Your loving control. Help me trust You with deeper surrender that lets You control all my moral decisions. Help me experience the true joy of whole-hearted surrender. Help live fully surrendered to You.