Luke 9:23-24 - Lord of our lives

Scripture:

 

Luke 9:23-24

23 And He was saying to them all, "If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow Me.

24 "For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake, he is the one who will save it.
NASU

 

 

Thoughts:

 

Although we know that the Lord is Lord of all, we so easily forget that He is to be Lord of our lives, as well!  He is King, not an elected representative or appointed official.  He made Himself a servant of all in dying for our sins, but He remains King, and as King His will is to be done over our own whenever there is a conflict.

 

I think much of our frustration in life comes from our failure to do what these verses say.  A failure to deny ourselves for Him (verse 23).  Rather than trusting in the Lord's will and following His lead, we spend our time dwelling on our own plans and dreams, and discouraged when they don't seem to be happening.

 

But as Jesus said, only by giving up our lives will we find real life (verse 24).  Real, lasting satisfaction, fulfillment, and joy are only found in obedience to God.  He really knows what's best for us, why not trust Him and see?

 

 

Prayer:

 

Lord, help me to deny myself today; to lay down my own desires and focus on Your will for me.  Help me to trust You, remembering that You are always working, even in my times in the desert.  I need Your help to do this.  Please enable me, today. 

 

Amen

Scripture quotations taken from the NASB.