GIVE ME JESUS

But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith—that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead.

Philippians 3:7–11

(Read also Psalm 27:4.)

Listen

Give Me Jesus by Victory Worship

Reflect

You can have all this world

Give me Jesus

“Give Me Jesus” is a song from the 1800 and 1900s that was popular among African American congregations. Many of them were slaves. Their lives were marked by unjust treatment and lack, and they could only rely on what their owners gave them. But instead of merely crying out for justice, they cried, “Give me Jesus.” They understood, took to heart, and declared what is most essential: Christ is all we truly need.

The apostle Paul made a similar declaration in Philippians 3. Paul declared that he had reason to be confident in his flesh, in who he was (Philippians 3:4–6). But he counted all that, including a high position in society and wealth, as loss and as rubbish. If we were to hear Paul on that day, we would have thought him crazy. Why would he give up a life of comfort and prestige all for the sake of Christ and the surpassing worth of knowing Him?

Paul continued to say that he suffered the loss of all these things so that he may gain Christ and be found in Him. He was essentially saying that Christ is all we need.

Because we are recipients of Christ’s righteousness and every spiritual blessing, we can have hope for better things, more than all that this world can offer.

As we live in Him, we encounter His everlasting love, His unending grace, and His overwhelming greatness. There is no other course of action but this: Choose Jesus and seek after God all the days of our lives (Psalm 27:4).

How about you? Can you truly say that Jesus is all you need and make the following declarations?

In the morning and in the evening, give me Jesus.

In triumph and in loss, give me Jesus.

In joy and in suffering, give me Jesus.

In life and in death, give me Jesus.

Respond

• Listen to “Give Me Jesus” and meditate on the lyrics. Do you want to declare today, with your whole heart and being, that Jesus is all you truly need? Pray and ask Him to help you seek after Him all the days of your life.
• Are there things in your life that you seek after instead of Christ? Are there things that compete with your devotion and love for Him? How may Christ be preeminent in your life, instead of the things of this world?

Pray

Lord Jesus, You are all that we truly need. Thank You that through the word, we get to know You. Every day, help us choose You so that we may experience the fullness of life and God’s grace, love, and truth. May our lives declare who You are to the world so that others may also know of the surpassing worth of knowing You and being found in You. Amen.