Devotion #1: Unceasing Anguish
“I am speaking the truth in Christ - I am not lying; my conscience bears me witness in the Holy Spirit - that I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. For I could wish that I myself were accursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my brothers, my kinsmen according to the flesh.” Romans 9:1-3
Paul was Jewish. He took great pride in his heritage. Philippians 3:4-6 records, “Though I myself have reason for confidence in the flesh also. If anyone else thinks he has reason for confidence in the flesh, I have more: circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the law, a Pharisee; as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to righteousness under the law, blameless.” Paul was not only Jewish, he calls himself “a Hebrew of Hebrews.” When Paul had his encounter with the Lord (Acts 9), he realized and accepted that Jesus was the promised Messiah. He became a follower of Jesus, wanting to lead others to Him. Paul became passionate that his family, friends, and countrymen would accept what he had found in Jesus. Romans 9:2 says, “That I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart.” Paul’s heart burned for their salvation.
How much do you hurt for those who do not know the Lord? Do you have any family members, relatives, friends, neighbors, classmates, or co-workers who do not know Jesus as their Lord and Savior? Do you pray for them daily? Do your prayers include any emotion like “great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart”?
Our prayers need to include our emotions. There should be excitement and joy in adoring the Lord and expressing our thankfulness to Him. However, there should also be heartfelt pain in confessing our sins and coming to the Lord in our requests for others and ourselves. Praying for the salvation of others should be specific, often, and passionate.
Charles Spurgeon wrote, “If sinners be damned, at least let them leap to Hell over our dead bodies. And if they perish, let them perish with our arms wrapped about their knees, imploring them to stay. If Hell must be filled, let it be filled in the teeth of our exertions, and let not one go unwarned and unprayed for.”
Who has the Lord placed on your heart?
Jon, a student in The River Church Pastors Academy, reminded the class, “How much must you hate someone not to share the Gospel with them?” That question haunts me in a good way. I am striving to be more desperate in my daily conversations with the Lord over the salvation of loved ones. Then, I pray for what my next step should be in reaching out to them.
Who has the Lord placed on your heart? Pray!