Searchlight

"The Lord's searchlight penetrates the human spirit, exposing every hidden motive." - Proverbs 20:27

What image comes to your mind when you think of a searchlight? 

I have in my mind a massive bright light, scanning the surrounding countryside, revealing anything that may be hidden in the darkness. I guess a Lighthouse is a kind of searchlight, except it's function is mainly to reveal itself and thus warn ships of where the coastline is. A searchlight has a different function - it is to reveal and find.

Now, I want to ask us: what emotion comes to your mind when you think about a searchlight? 

Yes, it is a strange question perhaps, but let me expand. When the writer of Proverbs suggests that the Spirit acts like a searchlight for our hearts, this picture can do one of two things. It can either fill you with anxiety - oh man, what is God going to find in my heart? 

OR

It can fill you with relief and hope. Many of our hearts are feeling the weight and strain of Covid-19, and some of us are feeling lost. Our emotions are like a frightened animal hiding in the shadows, afraid of what is out there. The searchlight of God's spirit FINDS us again and reminds us that we are God's chosen and beloved. 

The Father sends the Spirit to bring comfort to the lost and bewildered.

Let God's promises shine on your problems. ~Corrie Ten Boom

Every happening, great and small, is a parable whereby God speaks to us, and the art of life is to get the message. ~Malcolm Muggeridge

Living in Grace

D3LM3

Not my might

 ^"So he said to me, “This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: ‘Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,’ says the Lord Almighty." - Zechariah 4:6

It is hard to discern the difference between working for what you believe God has called you to do, and then allowing the Spirit to do his work. It is tempting to try and do things in our own strength, but then we leave no room for God to work according to his timing and plans. 

In whatever we do, let us remember that the Spirit of God is so much stronger than we can comprehend or even see. Trust in God to work in His power and His ways.

It is not MY might, but the strength of God that gets things done. 

Living in Grace
D3LM3

 ^"It is not by force nor by strength, but by my Spirit, says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies." - New Living Translation