A COMMITTED MIND UNDERSTANDS GOD AND HIS WAYS
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“You are My witnesses,” says the Lord, “And My servant whom I have
chosen, That you may know and
believe Me, And understand that I am
He. Before Me there was no God
formed, Nor shall there be after Me.”—Isaiah 43:10
God is not separate from what He does. Everything He does speaks of Him. His every action declares His name and nature. This means that we can look at our circumstances, both good and bad, expect to see a deeper meaning within them. If our minds are closed, clouded, cluttered or committed makes the difference in how we understand Him.
A closed mind is
not an exclusive description of an unbeliever.
When Christians listen passively, without intending to apply what they
hear, then the seed can not germinate because the soil’s surface is too
hard. Such believers will remain shallow
in their understanding of God until
they decide to pay attention to God and obey.
A clouded mind
will hear God’s Word and get excited, but the person does not take the time
necessary to study, grow roots, and let the truth sink into his or her
heart. With little doctrinal foundation
or knowledge of God’s promises, the individual has difficulty withstanding the
problems that arise in life.
A committed mind is
one much like fertile soil. The most
intellectual person in the world, if not teachable, will miss the truth of the
gospel, whereas even a young child who is willing to listen and learn will be
transformed in their understanding and
thinking of God.
A cluttered mind is
one that is filled with the worries of life.
Their hearts are filled with briers, thorns, and thickets. A preoccupied mind has little or no room for
God’s word to sprout and to thrive; therefore, little understanding of God is possible.
Why is it important to understand
God and His ways? Life is all about
God and His ways. As we begin to
understand why He does what He does. We
begin to understand His heart, and as this occurs, we find ourselves
experiencing the “life more abundant” that Jesus talks about.
An excellent way for us to become more knowledgeable and
familiar with God’s mind and heart is to meditate the scriptures as we read the
Word of God. I often read the Scripture as it would apply towards me—that is, I
pray His Word and put myself in it. This
makes it much more personal to me and it gives me a clearer picture of what God
is doing:
You are gracious and full of compassion toward me.
You are slow to anger and great in mercy toward me.
You are good to me.
Your tender mercies are over me.
You have redeemed me from the enemy’s hand.
You deliver me out of my distresses.
Declarations such as these have a powerful impart on our
ability to know God as He is—to understand
His ways.
Father—I ask You to
help me understand more about You and Your ways. I purpose in my heart to have a committed
mind and to experience life in abundance with You, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.
God is not separate from what He does. Everything He does speaks of Him. His every action declares His name and nature. This means that we can look at our circumstances, both good and bad, expect to see a deeper meaning within them. If our minds are closed, clouded, cluttered or committed makes the difference in how we understand Him.
You are gracious and full of compassion toward me.
You are slow to anger and great in mercy toward me.
You are good to me.
Your tender mercies are over me.
You have redeemed me from the enemy’s hand.
You deliver me out of my distresses.
