2018.08.26 Whatcha Want?

Daily Reading:  Proverbs 19-20

Scripture Focus: Desire without knowledge is not good... (Proverbs 19.2a)

Devotional Thought: Have you ever gotten something you wanted only to discover that... well, you didn't really want it after all!  As a matter of fact, you would do anything to get rid of it!  That's desire without knowledge.  There are different reasons that's not good:

·        When you think you want something, but you don't understand it...  Nobody likes to be the recipient of a bait-and-switch scheme.  It's really maddening, though, when I'm the one who baits and switches myself!  I've prayed for certain things only to get them and wish I never had prayed for them!  Know what you're asking for!

·        When you don't know what you want...  Life can get pretty frustrating when you have a vague sense of lack, but can't really name what it is you want.  It's hard to scratch an itch when you don't know where it itches!  When we come before the Lord in prayer, we need to be prepared to answer Jesus' question, "What do you want me to do for you?"

·        When the one who can satisfy your desire doesn't know what you want...  When I was growing up, my favorite uncle - Cedric - used to ask me, "Would you like ____?"  If I would say, "I don't know,"  Uncle Cedric would say, "I don't know either."  And I wouldn't get what I wanted!  If I wanted something, I quickly learned to be specific and to ask.  Yes, God knows what we want, but sometimes he answers through others.  If we need help and we know a sister or brother can help us, then we need to ask!

If desire without knowledge is not good, then desire with knowledge must be good.  Let's make sure that our desires are good, that they are informed by knowledge.

Prayer: Lord, you have created me with the capacity to desire.  Sanctify my desires, Lord.  I put them on the altar of surrender.  Help me to "earnestly desire the greater things."  Amen.

Psalm of the Day:  15 As for man, his days are like grass; he flourishes like a flower of the field; 16 for the wind passes over it, and it is gone, and its place knows it no more. 17 But the steadfast love of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear him, and his righteousness to children's children, 18 to those who keep his covenant and remember to do his commandments. 19 The LORD has established his throne in the heavens, and his kingdom rules over all. 20 Bless the LORD, O you his angels, you mighty ones who do his word, obeying the voice of his word! 21 Bless the LORD, all his hosts, his ministers, who do his will! 22 Bless the LORD, all his works, in all places of his dominion. Bless the LORD, O my soul! (Psalms 103:15-22)