Today's Scripture
Psalms 37:3-34
Learning About His Ways—What is affecting my sensitivity to hear Him? “…when Jesus finished commanding His twelve disciples, that He departed from there to teach and to preach in their cities.” Matthew 11:1
He comes where He commands us to leave. If you stayed home when God told you to go because you were so concerned about your people (biological family) there, then you robbed them of the teaching of Jesus Christ Himself and became a hindrance to them becoming His spiritual family. When you obeyed and left all the consequences to God, the Lord went into your city to teach, but as long as you were disobedient, you blocked His way. Watch where you begin to debate with Him and put what you call your duty (to biological family) into competition with His commands. If you say, “I know that He told me to go, but my duty is here,” it simply means that you do not believe that Jesus means what He says. Jesus was clear, “…No prophet is accepted in his own country.” (Luke 4 :24 ) It is His passion to speak from us to those whom He loves. He commands us to go to the people of His choosing, never our choosing.
He teaches where He instructs us not to teach. “…Master…let us make three tabernacles…” (Luke 9:33)
Are we playing the part of an amateur providence, trying to play God’s role in the lives of others? Are we so noisy in our instruction of other people that God cannot get near them? We must learn to keep our mouths shut, and our spirits alert. God wants to instruct us regarding His Son, and He wants to turn our times of prayer into mounts of transfiguration where He is formed in us. When we become certain that God is going to work in a particular way, He will never work in that way again. He does this to deliver us from sin, namely, the claim to my right to myself.
He works where He sends us to wait.”…tarry…until…” (Luke 24:49)
“Wait on the Lord” and He will work. (Psalm 37:34) But don’t wait sulking spiritually and feeling sorry for yourself just because you can’t see one inch in front of you! Are we detached enough from our spiritual fits of emotion to “…wait patiently for Him”? (Psalm 37:7) Waiting is not sitting with folded hands doing nothing, but it is learning to do what we are told.
These are some of the facets of His ways that we rarely recognize.
Today's Prayer
Jesus, help me to trust Your voice and remain faithful to following You. Help me not to allow my common sense to influence my devotion to You and our growing relationship. Make my faith in You sure and steadfast.
