01/26/2025
My devotional reading this morning was focused on the simplicity of faith, and as I studied the truths in this concept I uncovered the depth of my similar belief. But I also began to see how I often followed the mantra I hear in commercials on television as they sing... "I want it now!" (NFL), or "It's mine!" (Diet Coke), or perhaps "I want it all!" (Dr. Pepper). I could see that I was applying this urgency to my relationship with God and Jesus Christ, and how I wanted every truth in a scripture, and every revelation of God, to occur instantly... right now! Had I lost the ability to wait patiently, and trust in the Lord?
“Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith?”
Matthew 6:30 KJV
This verse is the beginning of a powerful thought. It can be distilled into a couple of simple phrases... "ease up!", and "Trust God!" The truths that the Lord Jesus taught us were straight forward and predicated on the fact that understanding, like our needs in life, would be provided precisely when we needed them.
“Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.”
Matthew 6:31-32 KJV
The key to our having a good life is an unwavering trust and faith in God. We read the words peace and joy throughout the Bible, but are we experiencing them to their fullest in our lives? We inject so much stress into our daily routines that really doesn't need to be there, and our inclination is to do the same in our relationship with God and Jesus Christ. We do this despite the fact that scripture tells us specifically to lean on (or trust in) God.
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.”
Proverbs 3:5-6 ESV
If we would relax more when we are praying and be at ease when we are in the presence of God we will find that He will sweep away our anxieties and provide for us... by leaning on Him there will be restful times and even periods of silence in which we will hear His soul quieting voice. The focus of this life shouldn't be on what we desire or accumulate here on earth. Whether it be wealth, possessions, or frantic check marks on the perceived scorecard of our faith; our focus should be on a deep and abiding faith. I envision this like the broad slow-moving current of a river in its final approach to the sea, not the white churning rapids experienced in narrow mountain gorges at its headwaters.
“But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.”
Matthew 6:33-34 KJV
Be assured that God doesn’t rush at life as we often do, and He isn’t anxious about what comes next or worrying over what happened yesterday. He is forever confident and though He might become angry He never doubts that His will is going to be done. In Him we are meant to feel the same way.
“But do not overlook this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.”
2 Peter 3:8-9 ESV
These verses we have been reading imply calm and peace. They tell us to be at rest and to lean on God because, like the modern day saying... "He’s Got This." God is saying He will handle the rough spots for us, and we can trust Him to do this, He will provide us the truth in scripture at exactly the moment we need it. After all, He often speaks calmly to us in the midst of our storms. A great example is when Jezebel told Elijah she was going to kill him and he ran frightened to God. Some of us read what God said to him in a stern and reprimanding voice, but it was actually a calm and reassuring voice that He used when asking…
“There he came to a cave and lodged in it. And behold, the word of the Lord came to him, and he said to him, “What are you doing here, Elijah?””
1 Kings 19:9 ESV
God had been telling Elijah what to do, and performing miracles, but Elijah still worried at the threat of one woman and he didn’t seem to trust that God had things under control. Isn’t that a lot like us? We say and do wonderful things in our faith but the minute we are faced with a challenge we begin to worry and fret?
We should trust in the Lord and feel the peace and joy of being content in the life God has given us. As I continued reading the words of Oswald Chambers today I paused and reflected on this thought...
"If we are not experiencing the "much more," it is because we are not obeying the life God has given us, we are taken up with confusing considerations." - Oswald Chambers
Sometimes we get whispers from God at odd times and from strange sources, today as I read Chambers' thought, I suddenly recalled a line from a Crosby, Stills, and Nash song; "Love the one your with." This song is about a man's love for a woman, but it holds true in our love of the life we have been given by God as well. We spend so much time and effort chasing after distant dreams and human desires that we neglect to experience the joy we have in the lives and faith that is right in front of us. Listen to the first verse of this song…
“If you're down and confused
And you don't remember who you're talking to
Concentration slip away
Because your baby is so far away
Well, there's a rose in a fisted glove
And the eagle flies with the dove
And if you can't be with the one you love, honey
Love the one you're with
Love the one you're with
Love the one you're with
Love the one you're with”
Love the One You're With - Song by Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young
The Lord intends for us to be at peace in Him, and not to trouble ourselves with life at the detriment of our relationship with Him. He wants our attention to be on Him and not the frothing waters of the world that face us. Trust in Him... He will guide us through our most desperate times and show us a piece of Himself in the process.
“Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me.”
Philippians 4:11-13 ESV
Are we ready to renew our trust and lean on God as we should?
Prayer:
Father, thank you for removing the fear, anxiousness, and doubt from me as I face the world’s trials and tribulations. Father, help me to find rest in your provision, and strengthen my trust in you with each obstacle so that I will lean on you to overcome it. Lord, you are my strength, my comforter, and my provider in all things. I thank you for the truth in your Word and in the perfect timing of its revelation to me. In my moments of doubt, you speak reassuringly to me and bring the calm back into my life. In the increasing quiet provided by my faith in you, I hear your voice more clearly and restrain myself as my anxiousness prompts me to talk over you. You know my needs even before I do and provide me with what is needed, when it is needed. Thank you, Father, for your love, joy, and peace... I pray that you remain with me always, abiding deep within me, and giving me comfort and contentment in this life you have laid out before me. Holy, Holy, Holy are you my God who calmly asks me “What are you doing here?” when I run frantically to you. Holy are you who speaks peace into my life and returns joy to me in times of great stress and trouble. Hear me now as I echo your Word and find comfort in it…
“This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.”
Psalm 118:24 ESV
“Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times in every way. The Lord be with you all.”
2 Thessalonians 3:16 ESV
“And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. To our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen.”
Philippians 4:19-20 ESV
To you my God and Father be all glory forever and ever. Amen. And to those who have prayed with me, may they say… Amen. Amen.
Rich Forbes