The Special of the Day… From the Orange Moon Cafe…
"The Editor"
When I have to read a previous Orange Moon devotional to answer a question or address an issue raised, I rarely fail to find a typo (I know, you find them too!). As careful as I attempt to be, and even after re-reading the final version several times, an error that should have been glaring still often finds it way into the text. Sometimes the Spellcheck feature of my computer program is at fault. More often than not, however, I have simply missed something I should have seen.
"Who can understand his errors? Cleanse Thou me from secret faults" (Psalm 19:12).
A far more important matter than finding literary typos involves my need for the Holy Spirit to reveal to my heart and mind where I fail to reflect the character and nature of Christ in my thoughts, words, attitudes, and actions. Things that should be glaring often go unnoticed, regardless of how much I may seek to correct myself.
"My son, despise not the chastening of the LORD; neither be weary of His correction" (Proverbs 3:11).
Note Solomon's reference to "His correction." While we play a role in being open to the need for realizing our sins and errors, God Himself must make us aware of where we must be redirected. This He does by His Word, His Spirit, His church, and His answer to prayers such as prayed by the Psalmist: "Search me, o God, and know my heart. Try me and know my thoughts. And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting" (Psalm 139:23-24).
Writers need editors, of course, to catch typos and make even more important corrections in style, grammar, and rhetoric. The manner in which I write the Orange Moons day by day does not allow for that since they are almost always produced just before sending them out. Thankfully, I do have an "Editor" when it comes to being corrected in my walk with the Lord. I don't always respond as well and quickly as I should, but our Heavenly Father has ways of directing our attention to need for change. Our calling involves realizing the ongoing requirement for correction, and availing ourselves of the tools God has given for it. Most importantly, He reveals and reproves in love, and for the holy purpose of conforming us to the image of the Lord Jesus Christ. For this ongoing edit, let us be eternally grateful.
"Behold, happy is the man whom God correcteth: therefore despise not thou the chastening of the Almighty."
(Job 5:17)
Weekly Memory Verse
I will love Thee, o Lord my strength.
(Psalm 18:1)
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