Love His Word

"I reach out for your commands,

which I love,

that I may meditate on your decrees."

Psalm 119:48

In order to live by God's Word, to allow Him to use His holy scriptures to change me, I'll need to see the Bible as more than just a collection of wise teachings.  I'll even have to go beyond the idea that His Word is a way for me to obtain head knowledge about Him, or even that it is a beautiful love letter written to me.  

In order to live by God's Word I'll need to see it as my life line, my daily bread, my sustenance; only God can bring about such a hunger within me (Psalm 119:18).  When He does, I will truly love His Word.

Trust.  "You think you're better than everyone else!  No one is impressed, Goody Two Shoes!"  The words hurt, although I knew my mocker could not understand my reasons for following Jesus.  Neither could he comprehend why I would live such a radically different life.  While my flesh cried out for revenge, to hurt as I'd been hurt, my heart knew there was a better response.

When in difficult situations when my faith is being attacked, it is important to trust God to give the best answer from the depth of His own Word.  Since I study His Word often, steeping my soul in it's goodness, the words are there, hidden in my heart and waiting for their Master to bring them to my mind.  And when He does, I can speak the Truth in love to a weary and broken soul, bringing healing to his bones (Proverbs 16:24).

When God cultivates in my heart a love for His Word, I will be able to trust Him to bring it forth in times of taunting.

Hope.  In the face of such a dark and discouraging world, it's easy for me to lose heart.  I may feel like giving up, especially when the going gets rough and rocky.  I may wonder, what's the point of living for Jesus?  I'd rather just drift along instead of struggling against the current of this world.  

Then I remember the Truth of God's promises found throughout His Word and I find courage to continue my press toward Jesus.  "Be strong and courageous.  Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you." (Deuteronomy 31:6)  "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." (Romans 8:28)  "Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past.  See, I am doing a new thing!  Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?" (Isaiah 43:18-19)

When God cultivates in my heart a love for His Word, I will find hope upon which I can depend.

Seek.  "Obedience brings much blessing."  The young man proclaimed these words as truth as I shared the difficulty of doing God's bidding.  His way is so much different than the way I naturally am inclined to follow so living with Jesus as my King is not a natural thing to do.  But when I let Him have His way, seeking out His guidance, His best for me, His desires for my life, I find a certain freedom there.  Surprisingly, instead of being weighed down with a burden to obey, I find that His yoke is easy and His burden is light (Matthew 11:28-30).

Maybe this is part of the blessing my friend was talking about, this free and straight-forward way of living where I simply follow my Shepherd.  He knows the right way to go, He has all the resources to provide for my needs, He carries the burdens of my soul.  My only concern is to keep in step with His Spirit.  As I do, the responsibility for choosing correctly is off of me and placed squarely on my Lord's shoulders.  This is the blessing of obedience; the liberty to live as a well-loved sheep of the Good Shepherd's pasture!

When God cultivates in my heart a love for His Word, I will walk in freedom as I seek His best for me.

The Bible is more than just an instruction manual or words to live by.  It is the living, breathing Word of God that is able to transform my life.  When I ask God to give me a love for His scriptures, I will find a growing trust in His ability to give me the right response to my attackers, hope when it seems there's none, and a desire to seek His way above all others.  This is what will come from a love of His Word!

As I begin this day it is my prayer that God will give me a love for His Word.

When do I depend on man's wisdom instead of God's?

How do I neglect the very Word of God, or see reading it as simply a good habit?

The Secret

"'So now, with God as our witness,

and in the sight of all Israel

--the LORD's assembly--

I give you this charge.

Be careful to obey all the commands of the LORD your God,

so that you may continue to possess this good land

and leave it to your children as a permanent inheritance.

'And Solomon, my son, learn to know the God

of your ancestors intimately.

Worship and serve him with your whole heart 

and a willing mind.

For the LORD sees every heart 

and knows every plan and thought.  

If you seek him, you will find him.

But if you forsake him,

he will reject you forever.

So take this seriously.

The LORD has chosen you to build a Temple as his sanctuary.

Be strong,

and do the work.'"

1 Chronicles 28:8-10 NLT

Everything was in place.  David had reached the end of his reign and was ready to place the crown on his son's head.  Before giving him such a responsibility, however, there were some things Solomon needed to know.  The charge David gave to his son could be a blueprint for living a life that is pleasing to God.  

What's the secret?  Well, it's really no secret.

Know and Serve.  It's easy to do one without the other.  I get caught up in serving, doing things for God, things He never asked me to do.  Things I think are necessary to the workings of His kingdom.  Things that seem good.  As I labor with gusto, I find myself growing weary as my own strength peters out.  Before I know it, the ministry I used to relish is nothing more than a chore; a responsibility added onto my long list of tasks to be done each week.

I was never meant to do things for God.  Instead, He'd rather I spend time with Him, getting to know Him in a more intimate way each day (Luke 10:38-42).  Then, when I see Him at work around me, I can join in, working in Him.  In this way it's really Him doing the work through me, empowering me to persist and enabling me to succeed (1 Corinthians 15:10, John 15:5).

I recently cut some blackberry vines that were intruding into our yard.  Before I severed their link to the main part of the plant, they were healthy and vibrant, producing delicious berries of their own.  Within an hour of clipping those branches, the leaves were withering and wilting.  I am just like this blackberry vine:  Apart from Jesus, I don't have the necessary resources needed to thrive and I will never bear kingdom fruit.  If I make it my life's pursuit to grow closer in my relationship with Him each passing day, relying on His Spirit for all that I need to live, fruit will be produced in abundance and I will never run out of steam.

I am charged with knowing God and serving through Him.

Seek.  Meaning.  Purpose.  Wealth.  Fame.  Praise.  Security.  There are many things I can seek in this life.  Some seem beneficial while others are obviously destructive and self-serving.  None, however, will bring satisfaction apart from one pursuit.

I am promised to find God if I seek Him with all of my heart (Deuteronomy 4:29).  He is not a God who plays hide-and-seek, withholding his affections if He's having a bad day, or is overwhelmed with requests from others, or just doesn't feel like hanging out with me.  Jesus is always ready to meet me where I am and desires nothing more than to be invited in to the most mundane parts of my life (Revelation 3:20).  He wants to be found.

If I will hold God as my most valued treasure, worthy of being pursued as my utmost endeavor, I will find contentment and fulfillment.  If, however, He is just one of many pursuits, I will always feel like there is something missing and my heart will always be found wanting.

I am charged with seeking God with all of my heart.

Be strong and do it!  There are some callings that seem more important than others.  Missionary work in a war-torn country.  Preaching God's Word to a hungry flock.  Feeding the hungry and hopeless on the street.  Somehow, it's easy to glamorize some work while minimizing others.

In God's kingdom, however, every position is important, vital to the function of the whole (1 Corinthians 12:18).  Therefore, wherever God has placed me to serve, I must do so with gusto, realizing it's importance to God and His kingdom (1 Corinthians 10:31).

If I am called to be a mother, even if it doesn't seem very life-shattering to wipe runny noses and tie little shoe-laces, I can do my job as if it is the most important job in the world, which it is.  

If I am placed in a position as a janitor, while I may be looked down upon by many, I can clean with all my heart, letting Him use me for His glory and keeping in mind that doing my best is important to God.  

If I sometimes feel overlooked in the place God has positioned me, thinking there is nothing special about my life, I must remember that what I do is vitally important in God's eyes.  Since He saw fit to drop me down into this situation, it means I have a job to do that has kingdom merit.

I am charged to stay strong in the Lord and do my job to the glory of God.

David's charge to Solomon is filled with godly wisdom.  When I follow his advice, I will see the value in building my relationship with the Lord daily and being a willing servant, make it my life's pursuit to seek Him wholeheartedly, and to realize the importance of the position in which He's placed me and do my work to His glory.  In these ways I have discovered the secret of living a meaningful and fulfilling life that pleases God.  

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I can stop going after meaningless pursuits.

When do I forsake my relationship with God in order to go after the latest craze?

When do I get caught up in looking for meaning in all the wrong places?  

Snowball Effect

"Satan rose up against Israel and caused David to take a census of the people of Israel.  So David said to Joab and the commanders of the army,

'Take a census of all the people of Israel

--from Beersheba in the south to Dan in the north--

and bring me a report so I may know how many there are.'

But Joab replied,

'May the LORD increase the number of his people a hundred times over!

But why, my lord the king,

do you want to do this?

Are they not all your servants?

Why must you cause Israel to sin?'

But the king insisted that they take the census,

so Joab traveled throughout all Israel to count the people."

1 Chronicles 21:1-4

When my mind is made up, the plan is in place, and the wheels are in motion, it's hard to change direction or stop altogether.  Like a snowball sent hurtling down a hill, my intentions build momentum and size until it's practically unstoppable.

There is something, however, that should stop me in my tracks:  Godly counsel.  What keeps me from listening?

Pride.  It's not that I think I know everything and possess all the answers, but when I've analyzed a situation and thought it through carefully, coming up with the perfect solution, it's hard for me to think there could be any other way.  The thing is, these "perfect solutions" usually come from my own perspective and understanding, not God's.  Since I didn't bother to consult Him, bringing His all-encompassing point-of-view into the situation, any answers I generate will be far from ideal.

Once I start down such a path, I can soon expect to crash and burn, run into a major obstacle, or come to a dead end (Proverbs 16:18).  Apart from God's grace, nothing will end well (1 Corinthians 15:10).  Therefore, I would be wise to humble myself, admitting that I don't have the answers or the wherewithal to successfully navigate the challenge I currently face. 

Once my attitude has been adjusted in such a way, taking my own self out of the picture, I can more easily accept advice that comes from a God-honoring source.  Then I might have a chance to stop the foolishness!

Pride often keeps me from heeding godly counsel.

Investment.  It is a valuable commodity.  Every human who ever existed has been given the same amount to spend each day.  Wasting it seems like such a shame.  Still, hundreds of units of this precious resource are squandered every day.

Time.  I have 24 hours of it each day yet often lament of a frequent shortage.  When time runs out, I'm frustrated.  When I'm waiting in line or stuck in a room filled with outdated magazines listening for my name to be called, I feel my time slipping away.  When I'm late, it seems like I never have enough.  

I realize the value of my time.  This is why I often stick to my guns, even if it seems I'm going nowhere.  If I've invested enough time into a project, or a particular solution, or a certain way of living, it's hard for me to give it up.  If I do, it seems like all the time I've spent will be in vain.

If instead I would realize the lessons that could be learned from going down such a foolish path, or the grace of God which will even things out once I get back on track, I might be able to heed a warning from a godly source.  It's not easy to change directions, letting go of my ways, especially if I've used up a lot of time getting as far as I now find myself.  Still, this investment is not more valuable than living God's way.  Anything I give up will seem foolish once I see things from God's perspective (Philippians 3:8).

A costly time investment often keeps me from heeding godly counsel.

Evil Influence.  It seemed like such a good idea at the time.  I could see no other way that would work.  My mind was convinced of the wisdom of my plan.  How is it that I can buy into such foolishness at times?

I cannot forget that I have an enemy whose mission is to steal, kill and destroy (John 10:10).  Whenever Satan gets a chance, he will plant a seed of doubt in my mind, introduce a sinful attitude, or hatch an evil plan.  It is easy for me to agree with such an ungodly influence because it often appeals to my sin nature.

My enemy could suggest that going down such a path will improve my self-image, giving me more confidence.  I easily buy into such a concept since I'm hungry for such a strong belief in myself.  Unfortunately, my view of myself will only improve when I see myself through God's lenses, realizing the assurance I seek comes from trusting Him (Psalm 139, Isaiah 40:31).

Satan also might give me the idea that buying into a certain solution will improve my status, giving others a higher opinion of my intelligence, or abilities, or potential.  It's easy for me to believe his lies since I strongly desire for others to think highly of me.  It's too bad, though, that true self-worth will only come from seeking God's pleasure, not in trying to impress people (1 Thessalonians 2:3-4).

Another tactic of my enemy is to persuade me to invest mostly in my needs and wants, giving me the impression that true meaning will come when I receive these earthly treasures.  How simple it is to get me to agree since my fleshly desires are such a powerful force.  Regrettably, running after riches will leave me feeling empty since their allure is fleeting.  Only kingdom-treasures will last (Matthew 6:19-21).

The influences of Satan often keeps me from heeding godly counsel.

Once I make up my mind, it is hard for me to pay attention to sound advice.  Usually, my pride, unwillingness to waste the time I've invested, or the influence of Evil are the obstacles that discourage such observance.  Therefore, to avoid the snowball effect, I would be wise to seek God alone.

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I can keep focused on God's plan for my life.

When do I most easily get off-track?

How can I help myself to remember to seek God above all other pursuits?               

Thanksgiving

"Give praise to the LORD, proclaim his name;

make known among the nations what he has done."

1 Chronicles 16:8 NIV

Positive outcome of surgery.

Turnaround in dismal financial outlook.

Relief of physical pain and suffering.

Hope of heaven and eternity with Jesus.

Protection during long road trip.

It's easy to praise God for such things and it's good to give Him the glory for such feats.  When I think of praising Him and thanking Him for all He has done, though, it's usually about something that relates to me.  In other words, I mostly give thanks when things go well for me.

There is so much more for which to give thanks to God besides acknowledging Him when things go right.  When David and the people of Israel had successfully delivered the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem, King David appointed the people to give thanks to the Lord.  In his instructions to the people of God, he modeled for us a way to give thanks to God for who He is, in a way that is both meaningful to us and treasured by Him.   It's easy to thank God for what He's given, but there is more to this attitude of thanksgiving.

Glory.  "What's in a name?  That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet."  Juliet made the point to the object of her affections, Romeo, that it mattered not that he came from a family who was at war with hers.  Instead, she insisted, it is the person behind the name that really matters.  While this sentiment is true to a point, there is much meaning found in God's holy name.

Therefore, I can spend some time basking in the greatness of the name of the Lord.  In comparison to any other name ever given, God's rises far above (Psalm 8:1).  His name is a strong tower that protects me in times of trouble.  (Proverbs 18:10)  There is power found in the name of Jesus, sending demons to trembling and adding clout to my prayers (Philippians 2:10-11, John 14:13-14).  Simply put, His name deserves my attention and there is no greater reason to rejoice than in His name (Psalm 29:2).

While I tend to give thanks to God for what He has done, I can step out of myself and glory in His name.

Seek.  Moses begged Him.  Even though it went way beyond what anyone had ever asked from Him, the Lord partially granted his request, allowing Moses to see the backside of His glory.  (Exodus 33:18)

Moses knew that God's presence was what set the people of Israel apart from every other nation.  He also realized that if God didn't go with them, as He had threatened, they wouldn't make it far.  (Exodus 33:3, 12-13)  Moses realized his absolute dependence upon the Lord.

But there was more.  Moses desired to see God above all else.  He craved God's glory, yearning to see His face and revel in His presence.  Moses longed after God in the same way a living creature pants for water (Psalm 42:1).

While I tend to give thanks to God for what He has done for me, I can step outside of myself and seek His presence as most my precious possession.

Remember.  The list is long.  If I pay attention as I live my life, it grows longer each day.  While I read His Word, I add even more to it's length.  There is no end to His marvelous deeds, miraculous wonders and judgments uttered (1 Chronicles 16:12).

There is no doubt that God is great!  As I live my life, getting caught up in difficult circumstances and the stress of day-to-day living, however, it's easy to lose sight of His power and magnitude.  This is why it is so important to earnestly remember God's greatness.  

He spoke all things into existence, calmed the storm with a word, and proclaimed the sin of mankind wiped away (Genesis 1, Mark 4:39, John 19:30).  Such power is found in His Word, but how much more is found in His deeds!  He defends those who put their trust in Him, heals those who believe He is able, and transforms grief into gladness (Psalm 91:14, Mark 10:51-52, Isaiah 61:2-3).

Knowing who God is and what He is capable of doing by remembering what He has already done gives encouragement to my disheartened soul but also pleases Him.

It is important to give thanks to God for all He has provided in my life.  There is more, however, for which I can praise Him.  I can glory in His name, seek His presence as vital to my welfare, and remember all He has accomplished.  In these ways, I honor God for who He is, not just how He has benefited me.  In this way I can exhibit an attitude of thanksgiving.

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I can think beyond myself, praising god for who He is.

When do I focus only on me, and how God benefits my life?

How can I help myself make the effort to admire God for His great character?

If My People . . .

"If my people,

who are called by my name,

will humble themselves and pray

and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways,

then I will hear from heaven

and will forgive their sin and will heal their land."

2 Chronicles 7:14

He does it all.  He created all things, set the wheels of life in motion, watches over all things, reconciled a sinful people to Himself.  What is there left for me to do?  

When Jesus died on the cross, He paid the penalty meant for my sins.  As I accept Him as my Savior, my sins are wiped away and I appear before the Lord as clean; white as snow.  There is nothing I can do to make myself worthy.  It is the grace of God that gives me this glorious gift of salvation while I'm still in my sin.  I can't make myself good enough for God; that's what I need Jesus for.

So if Jesus reconciled myself to God, what is expected from me?  Do I keep living my life as I always have?  

As I go through the transformation process of being cast into the image of Jesus Christ, there are four things that I must always strive to do.

Humble Myself

I think I'm pretty important.  Well, it's not that I think that highly of myself because I do possess quite a few insecurities and suffer from low self-esteem in many areas.  Rather, my problems seem more important to me than others' difficulties.  My pain hurts more than my neighbors' pain.  My bad day is worse than your bad day.  I tend to be the center of my own world, whether I like it or not.

For this reason, it is vital that I constantly put myself in my proper position.  One of the best ways to do this is to walk outside on a clear night.  As I observe the vastness of space, I feel small and insignificant.  My life is tiny compared to the universe!  

It is also good for me to intentionally look for suffering around me, seeking ways to encourage another or help one who needs a hand.  Focusing only on my own life and it's struggles, difficulties and even joys has a way of narrowing my perception.  As I turn my attention to others, it helps me to keep my life in perspective, realizing that I'm not the only fish in the pond.

Martin Luther wisely said, "Until man is nothing, God can make nothing out of him."  If I want God to mold me into the masterpiece He created me to be, I must become as lowly as a lump of clay.

If I want the Master Potter to have His way with me, I must become mold-able. 

Pray

It is said that the average adult makes 35,000 decisions per day.  Although most of those are simple, like considering where to sit or what to eat, others are more complicated.  Out of the more challenging choices, I usually make most using my own common sense,  advice from others, or choosing whatever appeals to me at that moment.  Every once in awhile, I will remember to pray, asking God for guidance as I make a choice.

Life can weigh me down, there's no doubt about it.  Instead of carrying the load myself, I can instead say to God, "When my heart is overwhelmed; lead me to the rock that is higher than I." (Psalm 61:2 NKJV)

There is a peace that comes when I give God the responsibility of being the head decision-maker in my life.   Tranquility exists in the midst of strife when I place the burden of judgment on God's shoulders.  Allowing God to take the lead leaves me in the serene position of following.

As I unload my worries upon God, a peace that no one can understand guards my heart and mind from further anxiety.  Or, as Harry Emerson Fosdick said, "Peace is a consciousness of springs too deep from earthly droughts to dry up."  

If I want to become more like Jesus I must pray continually.  

Seek God

In the movie, Atlantis: The Lost Empire, Milo's life was driven by a passion for discovering the lost city of Atlantis.  This single purpose colored every part of his life even down to his choice of career fields.  His enthusiasm for the quest for Atlantis was dismissed by everyone around him, earning him the scorn and ridicule of co-workers and peers.  Popularity, however, was not important to Milo.  What mattered most to him was that he solve the mystery of the lost city.

In the same way, my single focus in life is to be the mission of seeking God.  The difference between Milo's quest and mine is that God wants to be found.  He said in Jeremiah 29:13 that, "You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart."  

As I work in the garden, I can look for God's hand in the wonders of a sprouting seed or a singing bird.  When I am driving in rush hour traffic, I can strive for a godly attitude and ability to see the good instead of focusing on the drivers cutting me off or tailgating so close I can see their eye color.  If I am performing a menial task I have done and detested a thousand times, I can meditate on His Word and what He is trying to teach me.

Seeking Him is about including Him in every part of my life, not just those parts where I need Him or where I feel I'm most presentable.  I want to make running after God and desiring to please Him above all other things the engine that drives my car.  He wants to be an integral part of my life, but I have to invite Him in.

It's easy for me to move out of God's presence, but if I want to become more like Jesus, I must "continually seek Him." (1 Chronicles 16:11)

Repent

If you ever watch a herd of cows, you'll notice that they always turn their backs to the wind, especially on a stormy day.  They know enough to protect themselves from the harsh cold.

I need to learn a lesson from the bovine family.  Instead, my flesh is usually drawn toward sinful behavior.  Anything I do that is in response to my own fleshly desires instead of out of obedience to God is considered to be wicked in the eyes of God.  If I am to please God, I would be wise to forsake my natural ways and thoughts.  (Isaiah 55:7)

Turning my back on a certain thought pattern or destructive behavior is effective because it places the temptation out of my vision.  It also serves to turn the tables, putting the evil behind me and pointing me in the direction that leads toward God.

As anxious thoughts enter my mind, I can turn away from them and focus on what God is doing in my life or toward meditation of a verse of scripture.  If I am being lured into gossip, I can end the conversation or change the subject.  When I am tempted to enter into sexual sin through pornography, watching an explicit movie or something even more blatant, I can get up from the computer, television or flee the scene and turn toward my Bible.  It may also be necessary for me to get rid of my computer or other source of temptation in order to truly turn from those evil ways.  

Turning away from those things that tempt me to go against God and His ways is vital to my spiritual walk.  I can't simply ignore those thoughts or replace them with something better.  Instead, purposefully setting my course in the opposite direction will take me further away from evil and closer to God.  

I can't live my life my way and please God.  If I want to grow more Christ-like, I must turn away from those things that displease God.

Jesus did it all.  That, however, doesn't take me off the hook for the way I live my life.  In order to please God, I still need to constantly strive to humble myself, pray, seek God and turn from my wicked ways.  In this way, my character resembles Christ's more and more with each passing day.

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I will keep my course set on Jesus.

How do I let sin into my life by refusing to turn away from it?

When am I most vulnerable to sin?

Real Answers

"Heal me, O LORD,

and I will be healed;

save me

and I will be saved,

for you are the one I praise."

Jeremiah 17:14

Self-help books line the shelves at the local bookstore.  Advice on how to get through any difficulty can be found all around me.  Experts are eager to share their methods of restoration or treatment for a wide variety of disorders, sicknesses, relationship problems, ailments or difficulties.  Relief can come from many sources.

Relief, but not peace.  Alleviation, but not healing.  A Band-Aid, but not a cure.

How can I find lasting peace, healing and a genuine cure for the issues that plague me?  


God.  

When I allow God to have access to my life, giving it over to Him through faith in Jesus Christ, the work He accomplishes in my life will be authentic, powerful and enduring.

Allow Him

Have you ever tried to make a 2-year-old eat his peas, use the toilet, or go to sleep?  If you have, you know it boils down to a battle of the wills. My will against his will.  I can't make him do any of these things.  I can make him stay at the table, sit on the potty and lay in his bed, but I can't force him to eat, go to the bathroom or fall asleep.  He must bend his will to mine in order for compliance to occur.

It is the same with me and God.  He can't force me to do anything because He created me with my own ability to desire and choose for myself.  If I don't yield to Him, He can't have access to my life.  If He did try to force His way on me, He would only succeed in my stubborn will pushing back against His.  And although His will is much stronger than mine, He is a loving and gracious God who waits for me to surrender to Him before He works in my life.

When I allow God the right of entry into my heart, He will accomplish mighty works never before experienced in my existence.  A changed heart. . .a healed hurt. . .a restored relationship. . .the way of salvation. . .

If I want real change to happen in my life, it will only come from bending my will to God's, and allowing Him to have His way.

Seek Him

My husband has a buddy who is preparing for his first bodybuilding show.  His friends and family are telling him that he needs to step up the cardio training if he wants to be ready in time but he insists that he'll be prepared.  When he looks in the mirror, he is not seeing what everyone else is seeing.  He is only seeing what he wants to see.

It's the same with me.  I can look at myself or my situation and only see what I want to see.  If I focus on the negative, I will only see the harmful and destructive things happening around me.  

If I concentrate on my own abilities, I will think victory depends on me.  

If I home in on my accomplishments, I will see my success and position in life as a result of my effort.

God is a jealous God.  As my Creator, He belongs in the highest position of importance in my life. But it is easy to let other things creep into that top position.  When this happens, I fail to recognize His hand in my life.  

The Israelites were no different in their struggles with this kind of rebellion against God's rightful position.  In fact, God gave this message to the prophet Ezekiel regarding His chosen ones.  ". . .you are living among a rebellious people.  They have eyes to see but do not see and ears to hear but do not hear, for they are a rebellious people."  (Ezekiel 12:2)

When I seek God, I will find Him.  And when I find Him, I will see the world around me with new eyes. . . eyes that are focused on Him and His wonders! 

If I truly want to see the reality of God's continuous work in all the details of my life, I have to look with new eyes.  

Wait for Him

I love keeping track of the weather forecasts.  There is something about knowing what kind of conditions I can expect for the day that makes me happy.  I do notice, however, that no man can truly predict whether or not it will rain, for instance, with 100% accuracy.  God set the planet into motion in a predictable way, allowing scientists to study patterns and correctly guess how things will turn out based on their data, but God is still in control.  

He could throw a wrench into those expectations by making it snow when rain was expected.  Or He could turn a hurricane over the ocean when everyone was expecting it to continue over land.  Or He could calm a stormy sea with a single command. 

Life is no different than the weather.  I may think I will get a certain outcome if I take a certain step, but all things are under God's dominion.  I may have an order in which I want events to occur, but God is in charge of the timing.  I may think I have God mostly figured out, but then He throws me a curve ball.

Once again, God used Ezekiel to address this issue of His sovereignty with His people. God said, "Son of man (Ezekiel), the house of Israel is saying, 'The vision he sees is for many years from now, and he prophesies about the distant future.'  Therefore say to them, 'This is what the Sovereign LORD says: None of my words will be delayed any long; whatever I say will be fulfilled, declares the Sovereign LORD.'"  (Ezekiel 12:27-28) 

I can't predict the timing of any events in my life, nor can I control them.  Instead, God holds the position of authority over my life and it is better if I wait for Him and His timing.  After all, who knows the mind of God or understands His ways?

If I want to live a life of inner peace it will only happen if I wait on Him and trust Him for His timing.  

I can find relief or remedies from many different sources.  But if I want real answers, I must allow God access to my heart, seek Him so I can see all the good He is doing around me, and wait on His perfect timing for all things.  

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I will seek the real answers that come from knowing God on a personal level.

When do I turn to other sources for a quick fix?

How do I betray my impatience in the way I fail to wait for God to provide my needs or solve my problems?