Today comes yet another in a string of unintentionally (by me, that is) themed devotionals, this excerpt is from My Utmost For His Highest:

"We all have many dreams and aspirations when we are young, but sooner or later we realize we have no power to accomplish them. We cannot do the things we long to do, so our tendency is to think of our dreams and aspirations as dead. But God comes and says to us, "Arise from the dead . . . ." When God sends His inspiration, it comes to us with such miraculous power that we are able to "arise from the dead" and do the impossible. The remarkable thing about spiritual initiative is that the life and power comes after we "get up and get going." God does not give us overcoming life— He gives us life as we overcome. When the inspiration of God comes, and He says, "Arise from the dead . . . ," we have to get ourselves up; God will not lift us up. Our Lord said to the man with the withered hand, "Stretch out your hand" (Matthew 12:13 ). As soon as the man did so, his hand was healed. But he had to take the initiative. If we will take the initiative to overcome, we will find that we have the inspiration of God, because He immediately gives us the power of life."

It's so true. I originally felt so defeated in my mind because I hadn't taken any real steps after my conviction. As soon as I figuratively "stretched out my hand", I have been given power to overcome. Not the kind of BLASTING POWER that delivers a death blow. I haven't conquered anything (in the sense of the sin becoming dead to me), nor do I think I necessarily ever will. It seems Paul never completely conquered the thorn in his flesh, but I believe as he trusted God daily, he was daily given power exactly measured for his needs to live a godly life despite his ailment. I think of those who live with constant pain... In a way we're ALL living in constant pain - there is always something present to distract our focus from Heavenly things to things of the Flesh. We just don't all have a constant physical reminder of it.

I have realized that one of my greater areas of weakness is in physical hardship. I can suffer other things far more important, but if I have to skip a SHOWER for a day, I'm in torment! It's funny, but sadly true. So when I face physical issues like gluttony, along with other things that have popped up recently, I am suddenly aware of the spiritual battle going on around me. I have no fear because OUR SIDE wins :). But it does remind me that my little old ordinary life has eternal significance. And that "tiny" sin isn't so tiny after all. Which means my "tiny" victories against evil aren't tiny either!

In our study of Daniel (Beth Moore), I have been so inspired by this passage. Particularly the part where an angel visits Daniel and tells him:
"Daniel, you who are highly esteemed, consider carefully the words I am about to speak to you, and stand up, for I have now been sent to you." And when he said this to me, I stood up trembling. Then he continued, "Do not be afraid, Daniel. Since the first day that you set your mind to gain understanding and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard, and I have come in response to them. "
Wow! To be sent an angel and told I am highly esteemed in Heaven... wow!!! And to think that he was commended for simply setting his mind to gaining understanding and humbling himself... If only we did the same.

Father, I humble myself before You. Keep my mind constantly set to understand but at the same time know that You are beyond the reaches of my understanding. When I think of how this existence has been created, I am in awe of You. I can't fathom the depths of the Mind that conceived of it. Earthly pleasures and pains, the upside down kingdom, the starry host, the throne room, the gifts and blessings you bestow us... I can only stand open-mouthed at Your Magnificance and worship You. Oh God, what can I say but that I love you? I pray that you reveal yourself to me in a powerful way today. Liven the coals of my devotion. I know that even a glimpse of your backside would give me an afterglow from bathing in your glory. Make my face radiant, Lord!!!