Therefore…
Therefore…in my absence…it is God
who works in you…
Philippians 2:12, 13
Sober for eight months, Dale was
thankful for God bringing Glen into his life. Through Glen’s
mentoring, Dale had found the strength to say ‘no’ when tempted
to run from his problems by drinking. Instead, he had learned to face
each day, meeting his problems head-on.
Glen had also introduced Dale to Jesus.
He was adamant about telling Dale, “Look, I’m not always going to
be around. But that’s okay, because God is the One you need to
trust for your sobriety anyway. So, in my absence, look to Him for
help. Remember, it’s not you, but God in you that makes the
difference.”
Glen was away on business, so today was
the first time Glen’s instruction would be put to the test. Dale
would be in close proximity to alcohol because of his job, and knew
it would test his resolve. It was one thing to resist temptation when
Glen was around…quite another when he was on his own, with no one
but God watching. But he was determined to trust God for the
outcome.
All day long when temptation surfaced,
Dale quietly proclaimed, “Not me, but God in me.” And that night,
when he laid his head on his pillow, he did it sober.
†
When we attempt to battle sin, in any
form, in our own strength, we will eventually lose the battle. When
that happens, Satan accuses, “You are hopeless, helpless, useless,
and powerless. You are a failure.” Sadly, many people, due to pride
and deception, never recognize Satan’s lies or learn the truth of
what Glen taught Dale: that in his weakness, and Glen’s absence,
Dale needed to cry out to Jesus!
Paul told the Philippians the same
thing, knowing they needed to understand this truth so they could
mature in Christ by surrendering their own strength in order to gain
His.
The strength we need to overcome
anything we struggle with is found in Jesus. When faced with
temptation, cry out to Him, asking that He fight the battle.
Prayer
“In my pride and denial
I find it hard to admit I need anyone to fight my battles, Lord
Jesus. Forgive such arrogance and pride as I move aside and let You
do the fighting for me, today. Amen.”
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