Wesley's prayer says, "Put me to doing, put me to suffering. Let me be employed by thee or laid aside for thee, Exalted for thee or brought low for thee."
As we continue to "Leave Desire Behind" let us see today's study guide recommendation:
Tuesday: The prayer above also say we should be “employed” by God. That means we should seek to be thinking about what God would have us do every moment we think about it. If we spend time away from God in doing nothing, that’s when temptation comes. Read Proverbs 6:20-35 and 7:1-27. Review the seven keys to overcoming temptation as were shared on Sunday. Are they present in these passages of Scripture?
Proverbs 6:20-35 basically reaffirms what Jesus and St. Paul said, temptation comes so easily and giving in costs so much. If we seek to be employed for the sake of the Lord our employment should make us stronger when it comes to temptation. The writer in Proverbs stresses to keep God's commands upon our hearts and to "tied them around your neck" and as a result "(v22) When you walk, they will watch over you; and when you awake, they will talk with you." The author of Proverbs goes on to say that if you're caught, especially a man with the wife of a jealous man, you may even die. (I recommend you read both passages when you have a chance!)
How do you spend your "free time?" If you're a student, you've said, "What free time?" But you know if you have free time you should dedicate it to that subject which is causing you the most trouble. But that time between assignments and studying should be part of your devotional time, as it should be with us between work and home, or between phone calls, etc. Let us be employed for God. Let our mind be set on God alone and see if we don't get great strength when we need it.
PRAYER: God of all strength, put us to work in thinking about You and Your great love for us. Let me see how Your Kingdom could be blessed by what we do. When we get tempted, put us to work. Let us indeed be employed for You. We pray in Jesus' name. Amen.
Have a great and blessed day!
Now get to work!
e.v.
