Prayer
Briefly prepare your heart in silence, and ask the Holy Spirit to awaken your sense of anticipation that God is about to speak to you through His Word. Then, before you read, I invite you to pray this prayer based on Psalm 18:1-2
LORD, my Fountain of strength, I love you.
You are my Fortress and my Deliverer.
My Rock, in whom I take refuge,
my Shield and the Source of my salvation,
my Stronghold – I rest in You today. Amen.
Reading
What a fascinating exchange between Jesus and the group of 72 disciples who had just returned from a successful mission (see v.1-16). They were understandably super-excited and they rejoiced that they had witnessed the power of Jesus’ Name to bring demons into submission.
Leveraging the level of their excitement, Jesus quickly shifted their attention to the greatest source of rejoicing any human being can ever experience. He emphasised that He had witnessed the original fall of Satan (v.18) and that he had given His disciples full authority over the powers of darkness. But, despite these awesome facts, there was another truth more worthy of their joy. And as His followers today, this is also the true source of highest joy – our names are written in heaven!
By God’s grace and through our faith in Jesus Christ, we have been adopted into God’s Family as His beloved children. Our names are written on His heart and even engraved on His hands (Isaiah 49:16). There is no higher reason for rejoicing than this.
Jesus wants us always to live from a place of absolute assurance and security in our relationship with God our Heavenly Father. Experience shows us that mighty miracles and spectacular signs are quickly forgotten in this dark and broken world. Surprising as it may seem, they are not a secure foundation for our faith. True security comes from the deep and abiding knowledge of our Father’s love and our experience of His loving presence with us every single day. He alone is our Firm Foundation.
So my prayer for your today is that you may experience God pouring His love into your heart by the Holy Spirit (Romans 5:5) and that the same Holy Spirit will cause your heart to rejoice in crying out “Abba Father” as He testifies to your spirit that you are God’s beloved child (Romans 8:15-16)
Contemplation
Please take time to ponder what Jesus has commanded us. Turn this declaration over and over in your mind. Keep it in mind throughout the day and live in step with Your King, Jesus.
As a disciple of Jesus Christ:
- I will receive the Holy Spirit’s witness to my spirit that I am God’s beloved child.
- I will rejoice in this great truth above all else!
Holy Spirit, graciously pour the Father’s love into my heart today, and grant me full assurance of my blessed position as a child of God by faith in Jesus. Fill me with joy in this great truth, I pray. Amen.
Dave's Diary 
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