My friend and I had a great discussion today and I thought it would be a great post for everyone.
As with many of our discussions, we start on one topic and before you know it, time has flown by and we diverge into other areas. But we finished off our discussion with one very powerful reality, “If God didn’t send you there, don’t go!”
My friend was frustrated at some of his neighbors and I asked him if he prayed for them. He was very adamant in his response that he wasn’t praying for them… Their hearts were too cold.
Of course my response was that we shouldn’t judge as only God knows their hearts and his word tells us that we should pray for others. He grudgingly agreed but it was obvious he wanted to be stubborn on this point. For that, I prayed for him!
But he diverted and said, “If God doesn’t send me then I can’t go.”
Now that I full hearted agreed. God’s word tells us “I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you. Do not be like the horse or the mule, which have no understanding but must be controlled by bit and bridle or they will not come to you.” Psalm 32:8-9
God wants to lead us but not control us because of our stubbornness. He alone can offer the best advice and guidance.
But if we decide to go somewhere or do something without seeking God first then we have to realize that if things didn’t go the way we planned, it was because we wanted to do things our way and not God’s way.
Abraham is known as a man of faith for a good reason. I am very sure he didn’t want to take his only son Isaac to be sacrificed as God instructed him to but he went by faith. And because of his faith, God declared a beautiful promise to Abraham: “and said, “I swear by myself, declares the Lord, that because you have done this and have not withheld your son, your only son, I will surely bless you and make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as the sand on the seashore. Your descendants will take possession of the cities of their enemies, and through your offspring all nations on earth will be blessed, because you have obeyed me.””Genesis 22:16-18
Even though we may not feel like praying for someone that has wronged us we should still pray for them. You may find it challenging to follow God’s will but if you are serving him we are called to all joyfully obey his commands.
And we can all be assured that “The Lord will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail.” Isaiah 58:11
Thought: Are you going where God is leading you or are you doing it all your way? If you are not praying and seeking his guidance on a daily basis then you just might be doing things your way.
Prayer: Abba Father, we want to be useful in your kingdom and obey your will with joy as your angels do in heaven. Teach us to meditate on your word day and night so we are like a tree planted in a stream of water bearing good fruit in season. Amen