Victuals not Rituals

UV 1268/10,000 Spiritual Meat and Drink
For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost
Romans 14 v 17

Jesus said, “ The kingdom of God is within you and amongst you.” The kingdom of God is the government and governance of Jesus as He is “ Wonderful, Counsellor, Everlasting Father, Mighty God, Prince of Peace.” When Christ reigns over our inner life, the kingdom of God is established in us. When Christ reigns and rules over our relationships, the kingdom of God is amongst us. We have righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Ghost. God is not concerned with our externals but He is concerned with our thoughts, emotions, relationships, motives, desires, hopes and fears. He sets our fears at rest and helps us overcome them and thereby, we have wholesome peace or Shalom. Our peace will increase and not decrease over time even as His influence and our submission and obedience to the promptings of the Holy Spirit increase. God is not interested in rituals and ceremonies but He is keen on nourishing us with spiritual victuals that enable us to live in victory. Just as there is a variety of meat, food and drinks in the physical realm, similarly there are a variety of spiritual meat and drink or the experiences of divine nourishment that we can obtain from the hand of God.

This uni-verse states that righteousness, peace and joy of the Holy Spirit are the meat and drink of our souls and spirits. Taking righteous stands and doing the right, good and just deeds based on scriptural precepts and principles will play the role of meat in our nourishment. We will satisfy our thirst by drinking of peace and joy. The wonders God does in our lives will create joy in us. We will rejoice first as a farmer who sees his harvest flourishing rejoices. We will rejoice again as a soldier who has won a great victory and enjoys the spoils thereof. He will give us the garment of praise instead of a spirit of heaviness, the oil or anointing of joy instead of mourning, beauty instead of ashes. Man plans but God plants and people will know that our success, blessing and growth is not a result of our plans or efforts but the gracious planting of the Lord. Everything that happens in a kingdom is dedicated and credited to the king. Similarly, the reasons for our righteousness, peace and joy are all attributed to the glory of King Jesus.

The Lord will also counsel or guide our inner man to act wisely and justly. We will have the joy of salvation. We will also have the joy of success. We will have the quiet assurance and contentment of a man who has been blessed by God like Abraham, Jacob and Job. Doubtless it will not all be hunky-dory. There will be times of struggle and tribulation as well as persecution. But the Lord will give us peace as we go through it and victory at the end. As “ Everlasting Father” unlike our earthly father or parents, He will never leave us or forsake us. He will provide us both food and drink. As Almighty God, He will act and show Himself strong on our behalf. Righteousness, peace and joy are impartations of the Holy Spirit as we walk close to the Lord. It needs to be manifested in various aspects of our life and relationships if our leadership is to be impactful or effective.

Prateep V Philip