November 7, 2020

Wouldn’t it be great to be able to choose our own trials? If we could, we wouldn’t choose the ones we have now, most likely. We would choose trials that made sense to have, ones that didn’t last long and ones that didn’t make us too uncomfortable. We don’t like to feel discomfort or suffering. We are human that way.

We are also, as humans, self-centered, in that we want to understand and control our lives and plan what is in our life. We do not plan for trials because we don’t want them. They often surprise us at the worst times. But maybe we should…plan for trials that is. Sounds crazy right? Why would we want to plan to have trials?

Because the more capable we are of understanding the purpose of our trials, the more we can glorify God in them.

The Lord gave me these thoughts today. I would like to share them with you.

1. God wants us to lean on Him for understanding. God does the directing. We do the leaning. We lean on God’s wisdom, not our own. The word acknowledge generally means to “accept something that exists or is true.” (Oxford American Dictionary) God exists and is truth and is worthy of our trust.

Trust in the Lord with ALL your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge HIM and He shall direct your paths. Proverbs 3:5-6

2. God wants us to listen, to just sit still. God does the speaking. We do the listening with a quiet soul so we can hear what He is saying. This exalts Him.

Be still, and know that I am GOD; I will be EXALTED among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth! Psalm 46:10

3. God wants us to learn from Him. We take His yoke and go where He intends. We are harnessed to Him, not unlike oxen that are yoked together to make the load lighter for both of them. (The Woman’s Study Bible by Thomas Nelson) In this way, God gives us relief from our burdens.

Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find REST for your souls. For my yoke is EASY and my burden is LIGHT. Matthew 11:29

4. In summary, God wants us to copy Him. He set the example and now it is our job to copy it.

Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me-put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you. Philippians 4:9

Dear Father God,

You are awesome. Words can’t express how much I love You. Thanks You for providing in Your word all that I need to know, to live a righteous life with You as the guide. I will be quiet my heart and mouth more often and listen for Your words. I will lean to, listen for and learn from you. I am yoked to You for Your glory to be shown. Thank You for all of my blessings and even my trials. They make me NEED You more. You know best. You are God! Amen

Journal Homework- Write a four-part prayer. Tell God how much you love Him, Thank Him for Your blessings and your trials, ask Him to guide you and, fourth…listen for what He has to say to you.

A pastor of mine taught me that part of prayer is listening, perhaps the greatest part because it is not self-seeking. It is allowing God to reign supreme as you acknowledge you need His guidance.

Love and prayers,

Tina