“I gave them up unto their own hearts’ lust: and they walked in their own counsels”– Psalm 81:12

Sin results in separation from God. But here we are also reminded that it means being joined completely to our own desires and schemes.

At first glance, this might not sound so bad. While we certainly don’t want to be separated from God, the thought of being married to our own desires and plans doesn’t seem to be much of a penalty. Isn’t that more like a dream come true?

In reality this is judgment; this is punishment. Those who persist in sin and rebellion, God leaves to their own lust and allows them to walk in their own counsels. But notice that it does not say that the lust is fulfilled, or that the plans prosper.

When God gives a person up to his own lusts, his lusts consume him without end, because there is no true or lasting or deep satisfaction apart from God. It is to forever hunger, without ever being filled.

Similarly, the person who is left to her own counsel finds that she is like a blind person at the street corner, without a guide. She is free to walk any direction she pleases, but there is danger and destruction on every side.

As C.S. Lewis explained, there are two kinds of people in the end—those who say to the Father, “Thy will be done,” or those to whom the Father says, “thy will be done.” The great punishment for sin is getting our own way.(Baptist Bible Hour)

Many people have said, “It’s my life. I’m going to do as I please. Just leave me alone!”. But, they don’t understand how foolish that is. Sin has it’s own built-in punishment. When you sin you hurt yourself. If you continue in sin you will destroy yourself. Turn to Jesus today and be cleansed from sin. Only then will you find the fulfillment you seek.–HDS

We need to remember everyday that no evil goes unpunished and no good deed goes unrewarded. Regardless of what is happening, God will balance the books and make all the wrongs right. Because that is true you should “Trust in the LORD“(vs. 3), “Delight thyself also in the LORD“(vs. 4), “Commit thy ways unto the LORD”(vs. 5), “Rest in the LORD”(vs. 7), and “Cease from anger“(vs. 8). Embrace this precious promise and you will be encouraged—-“And the LORD shall help them, and deliver them: he shall deliver them from the wicked, and save them, because they trust in him”(vs. 40). “He is their strength in the time of trouble“(vs. 39). We never know what a day might bring — what hardships we will be forced to face, but we can always rely upon God to keep His promises. —HDS

“Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit“– Ephesians 6:18

Remember to pray often. Paul here says we are to be praying always. He admonished the church at Thessalonica to “pray without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5:17). This indicates that our whole life is to be constantly bathed in prayer.

There should be thanksgiving, confession and supplication in every part of our day. Every decision should be made prayerfully. Every undertaking in God’s service should be approached with prayer. We all know the importance of prayer; but so often we are not as concerned as we should be that our prayer life is not what it should be — we need the reminder, “Don’t forget to pray.”

Remember, also, that you are being heard. Sometimes the complaint is made that, “I just don’t feel my prayers go anywhere, I don’t feel they are being heard.” But Jesus promised that when we knock it shall be opened. The answer comes in God’s own way and on His timetable but we are encouraged to keep asking and knocking.

Remember how to pray. Prayers are to be in the Spirit. Selfish prayers will not be heard. Requests that are not in harmony with God’s will, as revealed in His Word, will not be heard. But the prayer offered up in the Spirit will be heard.

The very thought that your feeble cry can actually be heard in the throne room of Heaven should be adequate incentive to keep you regularly coming to the throne of grace to find mercy and help in time of need.( BBH)

Since we are commanded and invited to always pray we are always in need of it. Regardless of how well things seem to be going, there is never a moment when we are without need of God’s help. Without Him we can do nothing.—HDS

“ And when all the land of Egypt was famished , the people cried to Pharaoh for bread: and Pharaoh said unto all the Egyptians, Go unto Joseph; what he saith to you, do . ”—Genesis 41:55

We are a weak and needy people living in a tough and demanding world. We often find ourselves in desperate need of one kind or another. The solution to getting our needs supplied is submission to the will of God. We see an example of this in the following devotion from Turning Point:

“In Genesis 41, God raised up Joseph to refocus and reprioritize the nation of Egypt during a prolonged period of drought and famine. During a national crisis, Joseph knew what to do, and everyone looked to him for answers. When the people cried to Pharaoh, he simply replied, “Go unto Joseph, what he saith to you, do.”

That reminds us of another Bible story. In John 2, the wedding party in Cana faced a similar crisis—though far less serious. They ran out of wine during their festivities. Mary the mother of Jesus took things in hand. Speaking of her Son, she echoed the words of Pharaoh: “Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it. ” (John 2:5).

We all face shortages at one time or another. It might be lack of funds, lack of energy, lack of answers, or lack of wisdom. Sometimes we cope with needs that seem to have no provision or crises that seem to have no answer. When problems come, we must refocus on our Lord Jesus Christ. We must go to Him. Whatever He says, do it. He will meet the need.” ( Revised to KJV by HDS)

Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good– Romans 12:21

What a powerful, concise exhortation this is! In just a few words, Paul sums up the mission of Christian living.

First, be not overcome of evil! There are a thousand different ways in which Satan seeks to tear down our Christian testimony. It may be a temptation to sexual sin, or a tendency toward despair, or a disposition toward anger, or a longing for personal advancement or recognition.

But for all the temptations that may come our way, the remedy is the same, simple command: do not allow evil to overcome you. Stand fast in the Lord and in the power of His strength. Do not give in; do not be puffed up; do not allow your pride or lust or pain to overwhelm you.

And, second, overcome evil with good. The Christian’s posture is not a defensive one. We are to be overcomers, not merely survivors. Not only are we not to give up in fighting sin, we are to counteract the sin in the world by our good lives and conduct. We are to overcome evil.

How can we do that? Not by fighting fire with fire, but rather by overcoming evil with good. There is no other way to successfully battle evil in the world. The goodness of our Savior must be reflected in the good words and works of His people. The more His goodness is displayed, the more sin loses its strength and subtlety.

Don’t be overcome by sin; rather, overcome sin with the goodness of God.– (Baptist Bible Hour)

If the goodness of God led you to repentance (Rom. 2:4), what makes you think you can conquer evil with evil? Fighting fire with fire only enlarges blaze.-HDS