7th
Meditations on Piper’s “Don’t Waste Your Life” - A Prayer
Lord Jesus, thank you for your blessing and mercy on my life this day. Mercy in that you have not given me what I deserve, but instead have poured out your wrath upon your own Son — Jesus, perfect, sinless — my Savior. Thank you! And blessing in that you are constantly pouring out good things into my life. And blessing even in the bad things that you turn them for good.
This is marvelous Lord, and you have accomplished all of this through your precious and holy Son.
Thank you Jesus! You have willingly offered yourself for me. You saw value where there was none. By your blood I have been redeemed.
Oh, how marvelous! Oh, how wonderful! Is my Savior’s love for me!
…
Thank you also for your servant John Piper and the words that he has written about you and your purposes that have ministered to me.
I have been so blessed by them. They are helping me to see you for what you are — a treasure that is worth far more than anything that can be experienced here on earth!
And not only that, he has helped me to see in a much clearer way that you are the source of every good thing. Any and every pleasure that we can experience here on earth — even sinful pleasures — are at their core an expression of your goodness.
To put it another way, there is no pleasure — no genuine pleasure — that does not originate in you.
As Lewis said, Satan cannot create good things he can only pervert them.
And perverted pleasures are not genuine pleasures because they cannot ultimately be enjoyed without sorrow. Nevertheless they have power only because at their root they are YOUR pleasures. You are the author of all lasting joy.
It has been a revelation to me that I am happiest when I am happy in you. Worship — true worship — is genuinely the highest pleasure I have ever experienced.
You give joy without sorrow. You make me happy without guilt. You are the center of all lasting joy!
Oh Father, I am not worthy of this truth! I have sought pleasure in so many things yet not found it.
It is only in you that I have discovered lasting joy.
This is the well of living water springing up that I may drink and not thirst again.
You are good. So good to me.
Oh Father transform my life through the revelation of your goodness! Fulfill every desire of my heart in you!
(Thursday, February 4, 2010)
