Safetypinlove

We can easily rationalize almost anything to justify our actions. But as this Scripture tells us, God’s Word of decision is what shapes the events of our life. It’s by His divine wisdom and understanding that determines our way of life…not the other way around. So if we’re really wise, we will willingly allow God to direct our paths. For if it’s in God’s Will, it will happen…nothing will be able to stop it. And if it’s not, we know that God has a far better plan for us. So have peace and trust in Him.

Starting over is never easy. It’s wrought with anxiety, fear, and indecision as you struggle to find your “new normal” or new season of your life. Ecclesiastes 3:1 tells us that, “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven.” So the truly wise Believer will acknowledge that “all our times” are in God’s hands, (Psalm 31:15) and that every season of our life was planned out by Him before the world began. In other words, every time and season has been determined, appointed, and perfectly timed out in our life. Thus my prayer today asks God to prepare my heart for what’s ahead…teaching and enabling me with His strength and courage to step forward with faith, trust, and hope. All the while reminding me that new beginnings and new seasons of life are always possible with Him as my guide.

Don’t stop praying because you don’t see immediate results. God works on His timetable, which is always perfect & on time. So what are we to do while we wait? II Corinthians 4:16 tells us to not lose heart because the Lord renews our strength every day…demonstrating His power through our weakness. And then there’s also Hebrews 12:1-3 that exhorts us to throw off that what hinders us (fear, discouragement, and doubt) and with perseverance run the race set before us. So as we wait in the hallway for the door to open, we wait patiently in hope, knowing God is in full control.

When my mind is overwhelmed and scattered, bring me back to the clarity of Your Will, O Lord. For I know the draw of the world is powerful, and the moral contrast between heaven and earthly things are even more separate and distinct. (Philippians 3:19-20) Help me to focus on what’s in front of me today…not fretting over tomorrow or the “what if’s” that swirl around in my mind and keep me awake at night. Teach me Lord to release what I have no control over. For if I’d admit it to myself, there’s very little I have control over except myself, my emotions, and my decisions. Help me then to be ever setting my mind on things above and seeking after Your Will. Amen.

People promise things all the time and then never deliver on them. They relent or have a change of mind as easy as they make the initial promise…and don’t really seem to care how it will affect you. But God is different. I Samuel 15:29 tells us, “He Who is the glory of Israel does not lie or change His mind; for He is not a man, that He should change His mind.” In other words, what God promises, He does…always fulfilling His Covenant promises to His people. For what God starts…He will finish.

Human cleverness cannot out smart Divine wisdom. (Job 5:13) All our wise thoughts are futile in the eyes of God…for He knows every thought…and every secret notion hidden away in our hearts. Psalm 94:11 compares God’s omniscience to our very limited human understanding, showing there’s no comparison between human wisdom and Divine wisdom…one is the duplicity & deception of the age, or the flesh…the other is the wisdom which comes from the Spirit. So it would seem then that it would do us only good to seek after God’s wisdom in our lives.

This passage in Hebrews, (Hebrews 10:1-4) shows us that there was no lasting solution in the daily and annual sacrifices under the Law. For if these sacrifices truly cleansed, they would have been sufficient to purify. But instead, they stood more as a guilty reminder of sin. It was only Christ’s sacrifice that was perfect and final…eliminating the need for repeated sacrifices and highlighting the total inadequacy of man to achieve sinlessness on his own. Psalm 40:6-8 shows us that Christ’s sacrifice was once for all, and thus we can be sanctified and made holy by His offering on the Cross. (Hebrews 10:10)

The story of the Prodigal son, (Luke 15:11-32) shows the profound willingness of the father to forgive and restore their broken relationship. After squandering everything, the wayward son had come to his senses and headed back home…fully admitting his sinfulness. “I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Make me one of your hired men.” But instead, the father fully restored his son back into the household. First, his dignity was restored by being given clean clothes…next, the family’s signet ring was placed on his finger, reinstating his place in the household. Finally, sandals were put on his feet…a visible distinction between slaves and free men. The word in this verse that sticks out to me is “Quick!” There was no chastisement, lecture, or probationary period for the son…forgiveness was immediate. Which is just like our Heavenly Father’s forgiveness…it’s just as prompt when we turn from our sin and ask for forgiveness

Tell me if this has ever happened to you…I asked my Heavenly Father to lead me though the storm, but then I had to courageously stepped out of the way. God wants to shepherd His sheep, and we know that He is faithful, fair, and just…so why is it so hard to get out of His way? It’s not that we don’t want to take the path of safety…but it’s also the difficult path of obedience to God’s Will, not ours. So in the end, it takes fearless bravery on our part to whisper, “Not my will, but Yours, Lord.” and then get out of His way.

In Matthew, Jesus taught about the value of man to God. In this verse as well as Matthew 6:26, He compared man’s costliness to the birds of the air. (It is estimated that the global bird population is around 50 Billion, which equates to roughly six birds for every human on the planet) And in Matthew 12:12, Jesus compares the value of man to sheep. So what can we learn from this? First, God orders everything…down to the fall of a single sparrow in the wild, so why wouldn’t He know exactly what you’re going through right now? Then, Jesus taught us about anxious worry…just look at the birds. They don’t stress about the future, for God takes care of them. So take a tip from the birds of the air…worry changes nothing and only shows lack of trust in God.