Category: Proverbs

  • Trust God

    A bend in the trail - what's around the bend

    There are times in life when it feels like you can’t see what’s coming around the next bend. It can be unnerving or even immobilizing. It makes it hard to trust God.

    We do our best to take control of whatever is coming, but the reality is that we aren’t in control of anything, except our choices, and there are usually a limited number of options. That can be a terrifying or liberating truth.

    Knowing we aren’t in control often drives people to one of two places. There are control freaks who try to manage every detail, and the less control they have, the more they fight and suffer. Then there are the fatalists who think it’s going to happen anyway, so “why bother trying?

    We need to trust the ultimate source of control is God himself, the creator and sustainer of the world.  I find it freeing to know that while I can’t control every situation, the one who loves me controls my ultimate destination.

    Faith in Him carries weight and freedom.

    He lights the way. “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” Psalm 119:105

    Jesus said, “…I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness but will have the light of life.” John 8:12

    He also said, “…If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” John 8:31-32

    He controls the past, present, and future. He promises never to leave us or forsake us. He gives every believer the Spirit. He loves us beyond measure.

    We have the Word, the church, and the testimony of those who have gone before us to strengthen us when we are worried about the road ahead.

    When the way seems dark or uncertain, the Bible offers this simple advice, “Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.” Proverbs 3:5-6

    When the road seems lost in mist, and you feel like you have no control, trust the one who sees all, knows all, and controls the future.

    The road is not guaranteed to be smooth or without pain; in fact, it will be hard and rocky, but the guide is perfect and the destination assured.

    Hold fast to the guide, dear friends, and let Him lead you

    Be blessed

    Kevin

    Standing Alone – Strength and Hope in Hard Times
    Tribulation Produces Perseverance

  • When we say no to God

    drawing of a petulant boy in oversized galoshes hands on hops, stern faced

    The little boy stood there on the path, facing his mother, hands on his hips. I don’t know what had happened, but when I got into earshot, I heard him angrily say, “No! I don’t need help.” The mother said something that I couldn’t quite hear, to which the boy stomped his foot angrily and replied, “I want to do it my way. I’m big now.”

    The scene was cute to me as an observer, though probably not to the mom. I stifled a chuckle and walked on by. I don’t know what he wanted or if he was successful.

    It’s not so cute when we get older. It’s even less so when we’re the petulant child, and God is the parent.

    Now, more than likely, we’re not wearing oversized galoshes and physically stomping our feet, but our response to God is often defiance, rather than humble submission. Or, perhaps that’s just me, but I don’t think so.

    The original sin was ignoring God’s commands. Israel wandered forty years in the desert for disobedience. Peter cut off the servant’s ear. The Scriptures are full of examples. If we all got our acts together the moment we believed, Paul’s letters might have read quite differently.

    We want to follow our own hearts and wills. That seems like good sense, but our hearts are wicked, and our wills are sin-filled.

    It’s why the psalmist says,

    Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. Proverbs 3:5

    In Deuteronomy 28-29, the Lord promises blessings for obedience and curses for disobedience. That doesn’t mean that if we follow God and are obedient, all our dreams will come true. Someone once said that God is more interested in our holiness than our happiness.

    Still, things will be better in our relationship with Him, no matter our circumstances, if we walk in obedience.

    May we be more like Jesus and less like petulant children.

    Be blessed

    Kevin

    Gleanings From The Word – Experience an extraordinary God in ordinary life. 

    On a related note

    Stubborn Disobedience
    Those Little Doubts
    # Right Belief Must Become Right Living