Today’s Scripture Readings:
OT: Job 12-13
NT: John 1
W&W: Psalm 65
Today’s Reflection:
Joseph Bentz’s book When God Takes Too Long is the continued focus of our articles. Today we are looking at one statement from chapter 4: “Trust God – even though you’re likely to feel his way is not the best way.” Bentz says, “One of the reasons God’s ways seem strange to us is that we’re used to counting on what we see as our own strengths and attributes to get us through life… God says, ‘stop looking at whether or not you can do this, and instead think about whether I can do it.’”
How often has this been true in your life? I know that I myself consistently try to figure God out based on what makes sense to me. I look at a situation and say to myself, “This is how I would work this out so it makes sense that God would do the same thing.” Let me give you an illustration.
Several weeks ago, I asked people to join me in praying that God would work it out so we would not have to put our “stuff” in storage when we sold our house. I reasoned that it would be easier for us to do it this way, so it would only make sense that God would want to do this for us. When it didn’t happen the way I wanted, the Lord helped me figure out one reason he answered in once the way he did: He wanted to display his great love to us through the kindness of so many who stepped up to help us! What I failed to realize, however, is that God wills something much better for us – in the moving and housing details – than what I can understand based on our situation. So, I am excited now precisely because we have put our stuff in storage! I can’t wait to see that “something much better” which he is working out!
I can’t wait to share with you how God works this all out! Meanwhile, don’t worry when God takes too long in your situation, either!
This Week’s Scripture to Memorize:
Isaiah 53.12: Therefore I will give him a portion among the great, and he will divide the spoils with the strong, because he poured out his life unto death, and was numbered with the transgressors. For he bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.
About Me
- Pastor Scott
- I've been married to my wife, Lana, for nearly 40 years. She is the love of my life and still makes my heart beat fast! We have three beautiful daughters and accompanying handsome husbands. They are spread across the eastern part of the United States. We also have 4 precious granddaughters, a grandson and another little fella one on the way! I am blessed way beyond what I deserve. I have been a follower of Jesus Christ since I was fourteen years old. (Suffice it to say that that is a lot of years!) I have been a pastor since I was 32, embarking on my second career and my life's calling after I had been working in industry for ten years after college. In 2018 I retired from active pastoring and refocused my ministry to writing, speaking, coaching, and being a spiritual friend. I have formed a non-profit corporation called Momentum Ministries to help me fulfill my life's calling.
2 comments:
That's so true Dad! Even if you're trusting God to lead you in his will, you still have the tendancy to wonder how things could possibly be better "this way". Sometimes I think it's so God can teach us to obey him no matter what. Sometimes, to bless us with another realization. And sometimes, to gently point out to us that we are NOT, in fact, onmiscient, and he is!! I'm glad I don't have to rely on my short-sighted view of the future when making decisions... makes me shudder to think about the consequences! :o)
That's right E&J. You are so good at summarizing what I'm thinking but can't say. The part about obeying him no matter what was such a great insight into our situation. Thanks for your encouragement.
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