It’s the end of January, 2021, doesn’t seem possible, does it? Anyway, I thought it might be a good time to touch back on my 2021 Resolve, you know, keep tabs on myself lest I stray too far. It takes but a second to stray, but forever to be found. Right? In Resolve (via email December 30), I talked a little about how I was not really going to make resolutions for the new year that I would not end up keeping. I shared my new approach:
But, in 2021, I’m going to try to go about it a little differently. I’m thinking more in the line of holiness moves – you know, things that will connect me to the Lord, and open me up to all the holiness He has in store for me. It’s more about who can I become in Him in 2021 versus what’s the list of resolutions I make in 2021 that I simply won’t keep. With His help, how can I grow in holiness? How can I go from milk to meat? By seeking Him.
As I was doing a little gut check to see if I was able to maintain some of my resolve for less than 30 days, I found myself back in Habakkuk. Seems only fitting since I can finally spell the man’s name without looking in my Bible. As I’m taking Spirit inventory, I am reminded of the necessity of watchfulness. You know, keeping guard, being alert. If we are not constantly spiritually alert, which truth be told, can be mentally and physically exhausting, the Enemy saddles up and moves in. First at a walk, then a trot, then a canter, then a full out gallop. Before you know it, the race is on and we all know how hard it can be to get the horse back in the barn once the gate’s been left open.
Spending time with Jesus helps us grow and change from one degree of glory to another, from one degree of holiness to another. When we are changed, we radiate, we glow, we reflect His holiness. The Spirit opens our eyes to the glory of Jesus. How fantastic is that? But, we must watch, we must look, we must spend time, we must do… The Spirit is not going to change us if we are not spending time with Him, in His Word, meditating on Him, praying to Him, listening to Him. So, where am I? Where are you? It’s time to take stock.
I will climb up into my watchtower now and wait to see what the Lord will say to me and how he will answer my complaint. Habakkuk 2:1
Habakkuk was looking for answers. He anticipated the response of God. He didn’t just think God would answer, He knew God would answer him. So, he ran up to the watchtower to get alone with God. Habakkuk knew that in order to gain God’s perspective, He had to get alone with God. Alone time, sweet communion with our Savior. In order to be any good to anyone else or ourselves, we must get alone with God. The only way to grow is to get alone with God.
Nevertheless we made our prayer unto our God, and set a watch against them day and night to protect ourselves. Nehemiah 4:9
“Son of man, I have made you a watch for the house of Israel; so hear the word I speak and give them warning from me.” Ezekiel 3:17
O Jerusalem, I have posted watchmen on your walls; they will pray to the Lord day and night for the fulfillment of his promises. Take no rest, all of you who pray. Give the Lord no rest until he makes Jerusalem the object of praise throughout the earth. Isaiah 62:6-7
Sit ye here, while I shall pray…My soul is exceeding sorrowful unto death; tarry ye here, and watch…Simon, sleepest though? Couldest not though watch one hour? Watch ye and pray, lest ye enter into temptation. The spirit truly is ready, but the flesh is weak. Mark 14:32-34
Watching, waiting, praying. It’s the only way. Be on guard. Don’t go to sleep. Be vigilant. What are we watching for, you say? Watch for danger. Watch for temptation. Watch for the world- snares, traps. Watch for anything that gets in the way of your resolve to be more like Jesus and grow in holiness.
PERSIST
Isaiah 62
Habakkuk 2
PURSUE
Are we growing in holiness by keeping watch, praying, spending time in the Word?