Lavished, Liberated and Launched

Scotty Smith:  A Prayer for 2012 and More Growth in the Gospel

Now therefore fear the Lord and serve him in sincerity and in faithfulness. Put away the gods that your fathers served beyond the River and in Egypt, and serve the Lord. And if it is evil in your eyes to serve the Lord, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served in the region beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord. Josh. 24:14-15

Gracious Father, as I sit here sipping fresh coffee, praying these stirring words of Joshua, tons of confetti cover the streets of Manhattan and a lot of gratitude fills my heart.

I’m thankful I’m beginning this year with a little better understanding of the gospel than I had last year and the previous years. This time next year, I hope to be able to say exactly the same thing. I’m convinced, but continue to convict me that the gospel is not just good news for people getting ready to die—it’s good news for people who are now ready to live. There’s nothing more than the gospel, just more of the gospel.

By the gospel, we are lavished with your love, liberated by your grace, and launched into your transforming story of redemption. We’re loved and we matter. What more could we possibly want or hope for, in life or in death?

Because the gospel is true, I don’t respond to Joshua’s bold charge with a guilty conscience and a list of New Year’s resolutions—promises of what I’m going to do for you. Rather, I begin this year resolving to abandon myself to everything Jesus has done for us. Jesus is THE promise keeper—not us, not me. He is the one who has promised to make all things new, including me. O the peace and joy this brings us.

Heavenly Father, that’s why serving you is much more than merely “desirable”; it’s the greatest privilege conceivable and the purest delight imaginable. For Jesus is our Joshua—the one who has saved us, is saving us, and one day will completely save us. It’s neither cliché, “fundy” nor embarrassing to say… make that, to shout, “Jesus saves!” For what other savior died for us that we might find life in him? What other god sacrificially serves us that we might gratefully serve him? What other lord has made a rebellious people his beloved bride?

Because of the gospel of your grace and kingdom, throwing away my idols feels less like a painful sacrifice and more like a liberating dance. For all my “empty nothings” have ever given me is momentary pleasure and lasting regrets. Remind me of this throughout 2012, especially in the surely-to-come moments when I’m tempted to believe Jesus isn’t enough.

Father, may this be a year of considering our lives worth nothing to us, if only we may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given us—the task of testifying (by word and deed) to the gospel of your grace (Acts 20:24). So very Amen we pray in Jesus’ name, dependent on your love and longing for your glory.