Filthy Rags
Posted by Dion Todd January 13th, 2018 8,670 Views 0 Comments
But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; Isaiah 64:6 KJV
As the preacher looked over the congregation, pondering his next victim, I sank lower and lower in my chair. He always chose someone at random from the congregation to pray, so everyone tried to avoid making eye contact with him during this time. You would suddenly find everyone reading their Bible or the church bulletin.
When I was called on to pray, I just felt so unworthy, so unqualified, especially when asked to pray for others. I looked down on myself and I just felt that my prayers were a waste, others could do better, and I could not properly get the words out because of over thinking it.
Finally in frustration I just confessed to the Lord one day that 'I am not worthy to do this so stop asking me.' To my amazement I heard 'That's right. You're not.' and then this verse came to my remembrance in a very clear way. He made it real to me.
We all know this in our head, but I finally understood in my heart that it is not our religious performance, or our acts of 'righteousness' that makes us worthy to come to the Lord in prayer. It is the sacrifice of His Son Jesus that makes us worthy to pray. We stand before Him washed as white as snow by the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ. Our own 'righteousness' is as a menstrual cloth, that is what the 'filthy rags' refer to in this verse.
When you are called on to pray, step out boldly knowing that God has made you righteous through His Son Jesus Christ, and not by your own actions. You are only worthy, because He has made you worthy, and you were brought here for such a time as this. So pray it boldly like you mean it.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, I thank You for sending Your Son Jesus to redeem us, to wipe away our sin. Now we can come boldly to You in prayer. I adore You and want to know You better. Please fill me with Your love and peace, shine Your light through me, in the name of Jesus Christ I pray.
Note: Good morning! Don't forget that our RHM Live weekend service is happening tomorrow (Sunday) at 10am EST! We will be continuing our online Bible Study with Luke, Chapter Eighteen. To find out more or join us this morning, go to this page: RHM Live
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