Tag: God’s Will

Daily Reading

1Chronicles 22-24

Daily Thought

I can’t sing harmony. I can’t dance. I can’t dunk a basketball. I can’t play drums. I can’t paint a beautiful sunset. I’ve tried. Sometimes hours a day, day after day, for months, and even years. The motivational poster says, “You can do anything you set your mind to do.” 

Apparently not.

God’s temple would be built, not with the bloodied hands of David, but with hands that know peace, because peace is the character of God’s kingdom. The one who batters the enemies of God will not be the one who builds the house of God. “My son,” David said to Solomon, “I had it in my heart to build a house to the name of the Lord my God. But the word of the Lord came to me, saying, ‘You have shed much blood and have waged great wars. You shall not build a house to my name, because you have shed so much blood before me on the earth’” (1Chronicles 22:7-8). There are times when determination simply will not substitute for ability, opportunity, or permission. And that’s okay.

I still sing (in the shower), I have fun playing basketball (passing more than shooting), and I enjoy sunsets. “We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully” (Romans 12:6-8).

On the other hand, those things I can do, I give it all I got.

Daily Prayer

Heavenly Father, You gave me life, formed me, and filled me with abilities and talents. May I delight in them. Free me from any desire to be something I am not, and help me discover who I am and what I can do for You. I am individually designed by You, so I know it is a good work You have done in me.

I look at all You create, God, the majesty, the wonder, the beauty, and it works. The world holds together, everything in its place. I trust the sun to rise each day, because I trust the One who created it. You created me on purpose, from Your pleasure and for Your pleasure. Today, I am grateful for everything. Tomorrow, too. And the next day.

Amen

Daily Question

What are you really good at? How does God use this ability?

Daily Reading

Numbers 8-10

Daily Thought

My son approached me with what seemed to be a reasonable request. “May I go to the movies tonight with my friends?” Which movie? Which friends? I asked the right questions. “Son, it seems like everything is okay.”

He started to walk away triumphantly. “But son, you know there is no ‘Yes’ or ‘No’ until your mom says ‘Yes’ or ‘No.’” 

He knew. My wife knows better. She knows if there is homework due. She knows how he’s behaved during the day. She knows his friends. I’ve learned I dare not say ‘Yes’ or ‘No’ before checking with the one who knows best.

The Israelites were observing the Passover on the anniversary of their deliverance from Egypt. Some who were unclean (they had touched a dead body) still wanted to participate. They asked Moses if it was okay. It seemed a reasonable request.

And Moses said to them, “Wait, that I may hear what the Lord will command concerning you” (Numbers 9:8). Moses knew, check with the One who knows best.

Blessed is the one who listens to me,
watching daily at my gates,
waiting beside my door. ~Proverbs 8:34

Daily Prayer

Father God, You are wise, You are loving, You are good. What a blessing it is to bring my requests to You. I know that You will work all things to the good of those who love You and are called according to Your purpose. I want Your wisdom, God, and it is there for the asking. But I forget to ask. 

My love for You is shown by my obedience. My trust is displayed in my actions. May I be one who, all day long, seeks Your Word and Your ways, follows Your path, and walks in Your wisdom. May I be one who talks to You. And listens. 

Amen

Daily Question

How do you know what God wants you to do and not do?

Daily Reading

Zechariah 1-7

Daily Thought

The word of the Lord comes to his prophet often in dreams: “I saw in the night, and behold, a man riding on a red horse! He was standing among the myrtle trees in the glen, and behind him were red, sorrel, and white horses” (Zechariah 1:8). This is the first of eight visions Zechariah records as he begins his book: four horns scattered by four blacksmiths; a man with a measuring tape sizing up Jerusalem; Joshua the priest in filthy garments made clean; a golden lamp stand with seven lamps; a flying scroll, twenty cubits long; a woman in a basket carried by two women with wings; and four chariots led by red and black and white and spotted horses. Israel marveled at these visions and wondered at their meaning. Was the answer to their fears somewhere in these cloudy visions: Did God still care about Israel? Do they have a future in God’s plans?

Then, as if clearing his throat, God speaks plainly through Zechariah, ‘Thus says the Lord of hosts, ‘Render true judgments, show kindness and mercy to one another, do not oppress the widow, the fatherless, the sojourner, or the poor, and let none of you devise evil against another in your heart’” (Zechariah 7:9-10). This is the answer. This is God’s will for your life. The dreams may speak to Israel’s future but these clear words speak to today. 

I am reminded of something Mark Twain is said to have said, “It ain’t the parts of the Bible that I can’t understand that bother me, it is the parts that I do understand.” It is our disobedience to the clear words of God that lead to our troubles. Israel feared God was no longer listening. Their fear was justified: “As I called, and they would not hear, so they called, and I would not hear” (Zechariah 7:13). 

How often we bring our troubles to God and wonder if he is listening when it is we who did not listen to him that led to our troubles in the first place.

Daily Prayer

God, it is so good to talk with You and I know You listen, not because I obey everything You say, but because Your Son did. He fulfilled all righteousness and through Jesus, I can sit next to You and bring you my troubles and my joys. I share my life with You because You gave Your life for me.

I obey now, not because I have to, but because I want to. You keep changing me to be more like You. More and more I want the things You want. May Your desires become my desires. May I be like You and may others see what You are like by what I do. 

Amen

Daily Question

What is God’s will for your life?