Freedom from Striving

We have seen in the Muslim world that even those flippant or indifferent to faith will suddenly toe the line and become the “perfect Muslim,”; fasting and praying with their families during Ramadan. They hope that, by being good Muslims, they might make up for their sins committed over the rest of the year.

During the final ten days of Ramadan, there is a night when Muslims claim that heaven draws closer to earth. Their good deeds on this one “Night of Power” seem to be equal to a thousand months of good deeds at any other time. I have watched devout Muslims perform their rote prayers all through this night, pushing themselves to exhaustion and hoping to build up enough favor with the god of Islam. They hope they can do enough to tip the scale and earn their place with him in paradise.

But we know that justification before God comes only through the mercy of Jesus. We cannot save ourselves by any amount of righteous acts. We serve Him because we love Him, not because we have to. We are justified by grace, not striving. We know that no amount of toil by our hands will bring us closer to God.

Prayer

Lord, I pray that as Muslims look to increase their good deeds on this “Night of Power,” You would open their eyes to the futility of their striving. Show them that no amount of good deeds or recited prayers will ever justify them before You. Because of your goodness, mercy, and loving-kindness, You have made way for them to be heirs of eternal life with Christ Jesus.