Key verse
Mark 16:6 - “Don’t be alarmed,” he said. “You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene,
who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here. See the place where
they laid him."
2 Samuel
In today's reading in 2 Samuel 24, David counted the number of men in his army. He did this because God was angry with the Israelites, 'and he incited David against them.' I see this act of David's as a lack of trust in God. He needed to know exactly what position he could hold against his enemies, rather than relying on God to come through for him regardless of the situation.
I think we can learn from this situation and realize that in our own lives, we don't need to know exactly what's going on. For example, we don't need to count our pennies and stay rigidly within certain guidelines; we should have the freedom to rest in God's provision for our needs. Instead of restraining yourself from something God may want you to do, go forward in faith, even if it may not seem that you're equipped for it right away.
Showing posts with label trust. Show all posts
Showing posts with label trust. Show all posts
Friday, April 15, 2011
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Trust of a child
Mark
A child has a much easier time trusting people. It's somewhat unfortunate that we can't keep that same trust as adults.
Jesus says "Anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it."
This statement brings to mind the trust that we must place in God for our salvation. Many children understand this right away, but as we grow up, we feel the need to examine this trust. We test God to see if he really is worthy of the trust. It is good to examine our beliefs and to make them our own, but at some point, we need to realize we won't get all the proof we were hoping for, and we'll have to take God on faith that he knows what he is doing, just like a child believes that his father knows all.
A child has a much easier time trusting people. It's somewhat unfortunate that we can't keep that same trust as adults.
Jesus says "Anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it."
This statement brings to mind the trust that we must place in God for our salvation. Many children understand this right away, but as we grow up, we feel the need to examine this trust. We test God to see if he really is worthy of the trust. It is good to examine our beliefs and to make them our own, but at some point, we need to realize we won't get all the proof we were hoping for, and we'll have to take God on faith that he knows what he is doing, just like a child believes that his father knows all.
Friday, March 11, 2011
The Lord's favour
Psalm 85
This Psalm reminded me of the compassionate, forgiving, and loving nature of God. I was still thinking about yesterday's post on trust, and so this psalm seemed to say to me that God does deserve our trust for all the great things he has done. More than that, even when we don't rely fully on him, he will still forgive us for our folly and restore us to his fellowship. Here are the verses that speak to this issue in particular. Feel free to look up the rest of the psalm.
This Psalm reminded me of the compassionate, forgiving, and loving nature of God. I was still thinking about yesterday's post on trust, and so this psalm seemed to say to me that God does deserve our trust for all the great things he has done. More than that, even when we don't rely fully on him, he will still forgive us for our folly and restore us to his fellowship. Here are the verses that speak to this issue in particular. Feel free to look up the rest of the psalm.
Psalm 85:1-3 - You showed favor to your land, O Lord; you restored the fortunes of Jacob. You forgave the iniquity of your people and covered all their sins. You set aside all your wrath and turned from your fierce anger.
Thursday, March 10, 2011
Trust
Mark
Following Jesus requires trust. Saying we follow Jesus doesn't require much work at all. Lip service is easy. But making head knowledge meet and coincide with the heart is something else entirely. I can say, yeah I trust God to come through for me; I trust that he has my best interests at heart. Deep down, I have surrendered myself to him.
Is that trust really true for your life? When it comes time to act, are you relying on God, or desperately trying to find your own way, and blaming him that things aren't working out as you hoped.
Mark 6:8 says that Jesus sent out the Twelve disciples to go evangelize the nation. Jesus told them "Take nothing for the journey except a staff - no bread, no bag, no money in your belts. Wear sandals, but not an extra tunic...." That's trust that Jesus knows what he is talking about, and that he will orchestrate what needs to happen so the disciples won't die in the wilderness between villages. That's what I need to live out in my life. Complete reliance on God, and the knowledge that he will come through, even if I don't see it.
Following Jesus requires trust. Saying we follow Jesus doesn't require much work at all. Lip service is easy. But making head knowledge meet and coincide with the heart is something else entirely. I can say, yeah I trust God to come through for me; I trust that he has my best interests at heart. Deep down, I have surrendered myself to him.
Is that trust really true for your life? When it comes time to act, are you relying on God, or desperately trying to find your own way, and blaming him that things aren't working out as you hoped.
Mark 6:8 says that Jesus sent out the Twelve disciples to go evangelize the nation. Jesus told them "Take nothing for the journey except a staff - no bread, no bag, no money in your belts. Wear sandals, but not an extra tunic...." That's trust that Jesus knows what he is talking about, and that he will orchestrate what needs to happen so the disciples won't die in the wilderness between villages. That's what I need to live out in my life. Complete reliance on God, and the knowledge that he will come through, even if I don't see it.
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
He's on time
Key verse
2 Peter 3:9 - The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.
What can we take from that verse? If you're in a place where you've asked something of God, and he hasn't responded, maybe there's something else that he's working out in the background so that he can give you what you're asking for. In order to achieve your miracle, there may be a lot of other little actions that you aren't even thinking about that have to happen first. God has the perfect time in mind, and is looking out for your best interests, so just wait and trust.
2 Peter 3:9 - The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.
What can we take from that verse? If you're in a place where you've asked something of God, and he hasn't responded, maybe there's something else that he's working out in the background so that he can give you what you're asking for. In order to achieve your miracle, there may be a lot of other little actions that you aren't even thinking about that have to happen first. God has the perfect time in mind, and is looking out for your best interests, so just wait and trust.
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