“Thirsting for Transformation: Embracing Our New Creation Identity in a Fallen World – A Devotion on Psalm 63:1-11”
”O God, You are my God; Early will I seek You; My soul thirsts for You; My flesh longs for You In a dry and thirsty land Where there is no water.“
This world is fallen. Even in its fallen state the original glory of Father shines through in sunrise and sunset and in the love we have for one another. Natural resources abound for the image bearers to thrive in.
However, sin has caused mankind to be a self-centered hollow shell of what we were intended to be. Justice is fleeting and it seems as if darkness wins far more than light. Our flesh, our sinful nature, being crucified with Christ because we are new creations, is something that David did not experience.
He was visited by the Spirit but not inhabited. David knew that he was not regenerated and in need of a Savior. David forced himself to focus on the goodness of God and worship and praise Father and it changed his perspective from dry and thirsty and distraught to fat and marrow and satisfaction.
Through the process of taking thoughts captive, David teaches us to view our lives through the single eye and focused lens of the Gospel. The cutoff withering branch compels believers to base their faith on experience and emotion and he attempts to obscure the truth about our new creation status.
How we perceive the world can be changed. We don’t need to always evaluate ourselves, other people and our surroundings by facts, actions and experiences. We can teach ourselves to view ourselves, other people and our surroundings with the prophetic eye of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the revelation of the Word of God.
Embracing our new creation identity is how we can agree with the Word of God and thrive in transformation. Yes we will have to deal with this fallen world but we will never again have the opportunity to praise Father in the dry and weary places ever again. So let’s make the most of this opportunity to praise Jesus Christ come what may. Living in our new creation identity and spreading the GOOD NEWS will fulfill all of the desires of our hearts.
Father, I am truly grateful for the GOOD NEWS of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Thank You for grace and mercy. Holy Spirit, please teach me more about the amazing gift of righteousness that You have imparted in me. I know that You have removed all of my sin. I’m forever grateful. I love Your ways. I love Your Word. I love my new creation. I love You. In Jesus name. Amen.