February 3

Morning

Therefore, brothers, we have an obligation, but it is not to the flesh, to live according to it. — Rom 8:12 BSB

As God’s creation, we all owe Him obedience with our whole body, mind, and strength. Since we’ve broken His commandments, we are in debt to His justice—owing Him a price we can never pay. But for the Christian, it can be said that we don’t owe anything to God’s justice because Christ has paid the debt we owed. Because of this, we now owe a greater debt to love. I am indebted to God’s grace and mercy, but not to His justice, for He will never accuse me of a debt that has already been paid! When Christ said, "It is finished," He meant that the debt of sin His people owed was completely erased, forever. Christ satisfied divine justice fully—the account is settled, the charges against us are nailed to the cross, and the receipt is given. We are no longer debtors to God’s justice.

But because we are no longer debtors in that sense, we are even more indebted to God in other ways. Christian, pause and think for a moment. What a debtor you are to God’s sovereignty! Consider how much you owe to His love, for He gave His only Son to die for you. Think of how much you owe to His grace, as He continues to love you despite the countless times you’ve failed Him! Reflect on His power, how He raised you from the death of sin, how He has kept you alive spiritually, and how, despite thousands of enemies along the way, you have persevered. Consider His unchanging nature—though you’ve changed a thousand times, He has never changed once! You owe everything to every aspect of God’s character. Offer yourself to Him, along with everything you have, for it’s your reasonable response to His boundless mercy.

Evening

Tell me, O one I love, where do you pasture your sheep? Where do you rest them at midday? Why should I be like a veiled woman beside the flocks of your companions? — Song 1:7 BSB

These words express the deep desire of the believer for Christ, longing for fellowship with Him. "Where do You feed Your flock?" Is it in Your house? Then I will go there to find You. Is it in private prayer? Then I will pray without ceasing. Is it in Your Word? Then I will read it diligently. Is it in Your ordinances? Then I will engage in them with all my heart. Tell me where You provide for Your sheep because wherever You are, I will be there too, for only You can satisfy me. I cannot be content without Your presence. My soul hungers and thirsts for the refreshment only You provide.

"Where do You make Your flock rest at noon?" Whether at dawn or noon, I can only find rest where You are and where Your people are gathered. My rest must be given by grace and found only in You. Where is the shadow of that rock? Why shouldn’t I rest beneath it? "Why should I be like one who strays among the flocks of Your companions?" You have companions, so why shouldn’t I be one? Satan tells me I’m unworthy, but I’ve always been unworthy, and You’ve loved me nonetheless. My unworthiness isn’t a barrier to fellowship with You now. It’s true that I’m weak in faith and prone to stumble, but that’s all the more reason to stay close to You, where I can be strengthened and kept safe beside still waters. Why should I wander? There’s no reason to stray, but countless reasons to stay, for Jesus calls me to come. If He’s withdrawn for a little while, it’s only to make me long for His presence even more. Now that I feel the sorrow of separation, He will bring me back to the place where His flock rests, sheltered from the burning heat.