THINKING AND SPIRITUAL LIFE
"For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing EVERY THOUGHT into captivity to the obedience of Christ." (2 Corinthians 10:4-5)

Devotion 4 of 12
                                   
PRECIOUS THOUGHTS
         The value of thinking in harmony with God cannot be overstated. The thoughts of which I speak are founded upon the Word of God, and are never in conflict with it. Yet, they are not stagnant or unchallenging. "How PRECIOUS also are Thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them! If I should count them, they are more in number than the sand: when I awake, I am  Still with Thee" (Psa 139:17-18). PRECIOUS thoughts are thoughts you want to retain. They are not easily relinquished, and the richness of them strengthens the heart, challenges the mind, and invigorates the soul. The abundance of the thoughts enjoyed by the Psalmist is arresting. He was not able to count them!  His mind was filled with God's thoughts! An attempt to fully identify them proved futile! What a blessed condition. Mark well the result of this thinking; "When I awake, I am still with Thee!" While others dreamed of vain things, the man of God tracked with the Lord in His thoughts.

     The marvelous thing about this is that it did not end when he awakened. Thoughts enjoyed while the body rested, enhanced the man of God when he was fully conscious. Whether our contemplation causes us to be removed from the world, even while involved in mundane activities, or if it takes place while our bodies rest, we are better because of it! Blessed condition when our thoughts do not separate us from God!

Satisfying thoughts
     Spiritual thoughts bring satisfaction to the soul. This is vital for the believer, who is a "stranger and a pilgrim" in "this present evil world" (1 Pet 2:11; Gal 1:4). The things occurring in this world aggravate our spirits and vex our souls. Were it not for our fellowship with God in thinking, life would be intolerable. Here, in our thoughts, God meets with us to comfort and strengthen us. As it is written, "In the multitude of my thoughts within me Thy comforts delight my soul" (Psa 94:19). Notice, the delight of the soul did not result from few and fleeting thoughts. It was the "multitude" of thoughts that yielded spiritual advantage. Short-term involvement with God will not produce the results you need. God's people must learn to extend their involvement with God in thought.

Salvation and thought
     From this perspective, salvation involves the activity of the mind. Salvation cannot be received without the participation of our minds and the expression of our thoughts. Isaiah provides an intriguing portrayal of the forgiveness of sin. "Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson,  they shall be as wool" (Isa 1:18). Our reasoning with God is not the  presentation of our personal merit. Neither, indeed, is it the strong appeal to God to save us because it is His obligation. The reasoning is more from Him than from us. However, His reasoning is a divine appeal to our thoughts. If we will allow the Lord to do so through the Spirit, He will convince us of the futility of sin and the glory of redemption. But we must "reason" with Him! Make no mistake about this, reasoning ALWAYS includes thought!

Thinking elevated in Christ
     In Christ, our thoughts are brought to their highest point, and our capacities become most productive. In fellowship with God, we come to contemplate with profit what has been hidden from other ages. Paul describes his ministry in this manner, "And to make all men see what is the fellowship of  the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ" (Eph 3:9). The word translated "fellowship" is 'koinonia,' which means "participation in, or communion with." How do we  participate in the mystery that formerly was "hidden in God?" There are two ways. First, by being as part of the purpose itself; i.e., by being "translated  into the kingdom of God's dear Son" (Col 1:13). Second, we participate in our thoughts, i.e. by thinking, as it were, along with God. We find delight in contemplating what could not be known prior to its revelation. There is no real Divine fellowship without thinking--sanctified thinking!

PRAYER POINT: Father, I earnestly desire to have an increased number of Your thoughts in my mind. Give me grace to ponder what You have declared, and to meditate upon what You have done. In Jesus' name, help me to glorify You in my thoughts.

-- TOMORROW: CHRIST'S PEACE --