God Delivers

This morning I read Acts 12 and it got me thinking about God's power to deliver. Peter was in jail because he would not stop proclaiming the good news of Jesus. Herod had four squads of guards watching him. He was bound in chains and locked behind barred gates. God came to Peter's aide in a miraculous way, delivering him from captivity.

When I think about God's power in my life I need to remember that he has the power to deliver me from my captivity to sin. I struggle daily with a desire to live according to His will, but I am human. I fail. I give in to pride, greed, selfish ambition. Yet God is bigger than all of that. When I feel my heart gripped in battle with my sinful nature I need to call on the God who can deliver me.

Of course my mind returns to Haiti. I think of the stories I have heard from Hubert (our host) about the stranglehold that voodoo has on his country. So many Haitians still believe in some voodoo or superstitious beliefs even while claiming to be Christians. But God has delivered so many of them. I think of the Haitian woman who was demonically possessed and after it was driven out she gave her heart to Jesus.

My battle isn't against demonic possession, but I need God's deliverance just as much. The desire of my heart is to live a life worthy of the King I serve. I want people to look at me and see Jesus. I want my Father to be proud of me. I know I will stumble and that is when I need to find peace in his mercy and grace. On our Haiti team there were people whose hearts were so evident to all. There was a peace, gentleness and humility that surrounded them. It was clear that they are actively submitting to His will and because of that their lives are being molded into Christ's image.

To steal a quote from my friend James, "I am somewhere between who I used to be and who I want to be." That quote expresses an active desire to pursue God more. Every day. Every breathe. Can I say that I do that? No, not really. But can I say that I want that? Yes. More than anything. My heart yearns for the Holy Spirit. I thirst for God's word. And I desperately need the mercy of my Savior.

Lord, please take control of my heart. You know where I stand. I come humbly before you yearning for a life worthy to be called yours. Please continue this work in me and help me to desire you more than anything else in my life. My words, my heart, my soul, my life are yours. Mold me into the man you want me to be. I want to submit to your will. Thank you for your unconditional love. Praise be to God forever and ever, Amen.