Focus

Pay attention to the tension in your body. Let go of it and any expectations to do anything other than God’s will today. Prepare yourself to hear God’s word.

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Read

Proverbs 3:5-12 (NRSV)

Trust in the LORD with all your heart,
and do not rely on your own insight.
In all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make straight your paths.
Do not be wise in your own eyes;
fear the LORD, and turn away from evil.
It will be a healing for your flesh
and a refreshment for your body.

Honor the LORD with your substance
and with the first fruits of all your produce;
then your barns will be filled with plenty,
and your vats will be bursting with wine.

My child, do not despise the LORD’s discipline
or be weary of his reproof,
for the LORD reproves the one he loves,
as a father the son in whom he delights.

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Reflect

The writer of this proverb gives some very clear instructions as to how Christians should live, but we often do not even these simple, basic commands. Many of us base our decisions on what we think is best, store away our harvest for selfish gain, and feel that God has forsaken us when we face trials and temptations.

How often do you make decisions without consulting God, only crying out in prayer after your actions have caused things to go awry? We see the evidence of not including God beforehand, yet we often continue to repeat this pattern of behavior.

When you have an excess of something what do you do with it? So many times we store up our excess, whether they be finances, food, clothing, or spiritual gifts. We think we might need these things for ourselves in the future instead of helping those who need them now. This passage clearly tells us when we honor the Lord with these things, we will be taken care of and blessed. God will not let us go without when we have helped our neighbors who were in need.

When thing are not going perfectly in our lives, we may blame God, wondering why God is not intervening, or why God is punishing us. God disciplines us just like a parent who loves a child. God puts us in situations where we can grow in faith, love, and in our relationship with God. The opportunity to partake in God’s discipline is a gift, not a punishment.

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Pray

Dear God, today I pray we remember to include you first in all of our decision making, learn to give with full confidence you will fulfill our needs, and appreciate the love you show us in every situation. I pray we take what these verses have given us and hold them deep inside our hearts truly to change us for the better. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.

Go with God.