Day 23

Inner Narrative Pleasing God

To strengthen our godly inner-narratives we’re continuing our emphasis on identity-matters.

We stressed that there is no greater blessing, no higher dignity, no calling more significant, than being a true child of God. This meditation is about seeing yourself in the light of the Lord Jesus being your brother.

Incidentally, there is a relevant term used to describe our conscious thoughts, our inner conversations. The word is subvocal. Thinking is subvocal speaking: silent speech. Internal speech is called subvocalization. Subvocalization is the term describing how most people read. We pronounce the sounds of the words we read in our thoughts. You probably just did that.

God hears our silent speech.

He actively searches hearts and understands our deepest motives (1 Chronicles 28:9; Psalm 64:6). He knows each heart. He comprehends our thoughts (1 Kings 8:39; Psalm 94:11; 139:2). He said:

I know your thoughts. (Ezekiel 11:5b)

The Messiah knew the thoughts of those who were hostile towards Him (Matthew 9:4a; Luke 11:17a) He knew what was in the hearts of men (John 2:25b).

Some seek to hide, but we are not those who try to conceal our thoughts or motives. We invite God in (Revelation 3:20). Here is a prayer with which I hope you are familiar:

Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me and know my anxious thoughts; and see if there be any hurtful way in me, and lead me in the everlasting way. (Psalm 139:23–24)

That prayer is helpful because God answers it. He answers us because He wants us to be in harmony with Himself.

We don’t necessarily realize the nature of our anxious thoughts. For us to understand our motives in the sight of God, the Holy Spirit makes the Scriptures come alive.

For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart. And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are open and laid bare to the eyes of Him with whom we have to do. (Hebrews 4:12–13)

God wants to guide us into a sure knowledge of who we are in His sight. That is part of the Holy Spirit’s ministry to us (John 16:13). He sees us as we really are. As we learn to relate to ourselves through the Spirit’s guidance, by means of the Word, we give God’s indwelling presence pleasure.

This doesn’t just happen. We are called to cooperate with the transformation of our inner-narrative. To some degree, as we yield to the Word, we also initiate. Peter wrote that we are to adopt an active mindset:

Therefore, prepare your minds for action (1 Peter 1:13a)

To get a sense of the text’s intent, take a look at how some other translations render the Greek.

… brace your minds for action. (Tree of Life Version)

… your minds ready for action (New English Translation, Holman Christian Standard Bible)

… get your minds ready… (Complete Jewish Bible)

Prepare, brace, get your minds ready for action… This does not describe passive preparation.

At the very least we can recognize that our minds have to be actively involved in this. We are to be able to call things to mind (2 Peter 1:15; 3:1). We must constantly remind ourselves of our true identities until they become first nature (not second nature) to us.

We believe. We remember. We recall. We receive.

We need to constantly bear in mind the identity-matters that help form our inner-narratives (1 Thessalonians 1:3).  We must decide to meditate on what the Lord affirms and recall the Lord’s correction and redirection. The result of constantly bearing these things in mind will be the ongoing development of a renewed way of relating to yourself.

The words of our mouths and our heart’s deepest thoughts can give God’s indwelling presence pleasure. It is worth the effort. As you reflect on these matters your inner-narrative will progressively be sanctified and increasingly gratify the heart of the God who loves you.

Moving on… 

This is what we want to add to your inner-narrative. It is something that every believer knows to be true. God became incarnate as your brother.

The Messiah is Your Brother

Jesus is your brother.

Is this really true?

We would tend to think of an impassable chasm between us and the Lord. The incarnation, carefully considered, causes that lie to lose its power. And if the incarnation doesn’t drive a stake through the heart of that demonic life-sucking alienation, take a look at how Jesus spoke after His resurrection.

In the Gospel of John, the risen Messiah identified Himself in relation to God, His Father, and His disciples. Please read this:

Jesus said to her, “Stop clinging to Me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father; but go to My brethren and say to them, ‘I ascend to My Father and your Father, and My God and your God.’ ” (John 20:17)

Look at what Matthew reported that the Lord said when He revealed Himself as alive from the grave. How did He identify Himself? As a brother.

Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid; go and take word to My brethren to leave for Galilee, and there they will see Me.” (Matthew 28:10)

This relationship to you remains true even after our Messiah was glorified. To this day, Jesus takes His stand with those He redeemed. He calls them brothers and sisters.

For both He who sanctifies and those who are sanctified are all from one Father; for which reason He is not ashamed to call them brethren, saying, “I will proclaim Your name to My brethren, In the midst of the congregation I will sing Your praise.” (Hebrews 2:11–12)

Why would this be revealed if the Holy Spirit did not want you to believe and integrate this relationship into your inner-narrative? God wants you to think of yourself as being a sister, or brother, to Jesus.

This is our relationship to Him now, and fellowship with our Brother is also our destiny.

For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren; (Romans 8:29)

Pray about this. Request God’s help. Talk to yourself and strengthen this reality. Let it be a source and goal of your meditation. You’ve prepared your mind for action. So, act. Get your mind in gear.

By the way, what type of brother do you think Jesus is? Consider what a good brother is like.

From the beginning it was revealed that brothers are to take care of one another. They are to protect one another. A good friendship is likened to the affection one brother has for another. God is seeking to establish brotherly-affection in the community of believers. Brothers are loyal to one another because they honor the same father. A good brother is a great resource.

The Spirit wants you to recognize that Jesus is your brother and sees you as His sibling. He has loyal, helpful, devoted, brotherly affection for you.

This is a great relationship. What a wonderful reality! Embrace it. Remember, the Scriptures extol the benefits of brotherhood, it is written:

Behold, how good and how pleasant it is For brothers to dwell together in unity! (Psalm 133:1)

A significant starting point of relational harmony is recognizing the nature of the relationship. In this case, you really are a sister, or brother, of Jesus. One of Jesus’ primary identities is this: He Is Your Brother. Do not deny Him the practical experience of His identity by rejecting your identity. Jesus gave His life for you so you may enter into this relationship with Him. Do not deny your Brother, delight Him. Your reception of this reality will give the Messiah pleasure.

Can you imagine this scenario?

After His resurrection the Lord sent a message to His brethren to meet Him in the Galilee. What would have happened if they said, “That can’t mean me. I’m disqualified.” It is possible that Peter felt that way. After all, he had denied all relationship with the Lord. Perhaps that is why the angel said, “and Peter.”

“But go, tell His disciples and Peter, ‘He is going ahead of you to Galilee; there you will see Him, just as He told you.’ ” (Mark 16:7)

Jesus did not want Peter to self-disqualify. His heart was that Peter would receive pardon and partake of his true identity. The Apostle was asked by the risen Lord if he loved Him. It’s funny, but the person who was reassured of being loved and highly valued was not the Lord, it was Peter. Peter was reaffirmed when he said,” Lord you know that I love you.” Peter was the person having a refreshed illumination of being loved. He was mercifully included in the brotherhood of the Lamb.

The worst examples of brothers in the Bible are Cain and the grumpy elder brother of the prodigal son. Unlike Cain, Jesus is a life-giver, not a murderer. Unlike the elder brother depicted in the parable of the prodigal son, Jesus is not a censorious, envious, critical, resentful older brother. Jesus is not a party pooper. He celebrates you. Your brother who loves you dwells in you.

Who does the Messiah resemble? He is like Joseph. He has gone ahead of you to provide for you. And who are you in the Joseph narrative? I suggest that you see yourself as if you were Benjamin the especially beloved, and Jesus as Joseph, his older brother.

He took portions to them from his own table, but Benjamin’s portion was five times as much as any of theirs. So they feasted and drank freely with him. (Genesis 43:34)

Open up. He wants to dine with you as your Brother.

Do you see the size of the portion He has for you?

Please pray:

Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me and know my anxious thoughts; and see if there be any hurtful way in me, and lead me in the everlasting way. (Psalm 139:23–24)

May the words of my mouth and my heart’s deepest thoughts give Your presence pleasure.

It may be helpful to read these identity-matters again.

My love for God is important to the God I love.

I was successfully created to be the type of creation whose love for Him is meaningful to Him.

I was loved while I was my Creator’s enemy. He reconciled me to Himself through Jesus’ blood. I’m learning to fully respond to this love. My response is pleasing to God

God wants me to believe that I am definitely a child of God. God’s love for me is like a good father’s love for his children, only immeasurably better.

I have been born again and have been chosen to be an adopted child of God.

God my Father’s presence dwells in me and I can give His presence pleasure.

After you read them, do it again and re-personalize them in the second person. Talk to yourself.

Example:

(Insert your name here) your love for God is important to the God you love.

When you speak to yourself today, remind yourself that Jesus is your brother and loves you with a brotherly affection.

Jesus is my brother. He loves me like the best older brother loves, only better.

We have a close relationship: He lives within me. I dwell in Him.

I am never without help because my brother will help me.

I can confide in my brother.

I can rely on my brother.

I see myself as the brother of the Messiah.

After you read them, do it again and re-personalize them in the second person.

Example:

(Insert your name here), Jesus is your brother. He loves you, (Insert your name here), like the best older brother loves, only better.

Verses cited:

“As for you, my son Solomon, know the God of your father, and serve Him with a whole heart and a willing mind; for the Lord searches all hearts, and understands every intent of the thoughts. If you seek Him, He will let you find Him; but if you forsake Him, He will reject you forever. (1 Chronicles 28:9)

They devise injustices, saying, “We are ready with a well-conceived plot”; For the inward thought and the heart of a man are deep. (Psalm 64:6)

then hear in heaven Your dwelling place, and forgive and act and render to each according to all his ways, whose heart You know, for You alone know the hearts of all the sons of men, (1 Kings 8:39)

The Lord knows the thoughts of man, That they are a mere breath. (Psalm 94:11)

You know when I sit down and when I rise up; You understand my thought from afar. (Psalm 139:2)

… Jesus knowing their thoughts …(Matthew 9:4a)

… He knew their thoughts … (Luke 11:17a)

He Himself knew what was in man. (John 2:25b)

for He knew what was in man. (John 2:25b TLV)

‘Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him, and he with Me. (Revelation 3:20)

“But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth; for He will not speak on His own initiative, but whatever He hears, He will speak; and He will disclose to you what is to come. (John 16:13)

And I will also be diligent that at any time after my departure you will be able to call these things to mind. (2 Peter 1:15)

This is now, beloved, the second letter I am writing to you in which I am stirring up your sincere mind by way of reminder, (2 Peter 3:1)

constantly bearing in mind your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ in the presence of our God and Father, (1 Thessalonians 1:3)