Whom have I in heaven but thee? And there is none upon earth
that I desire beside thee. My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the
strength of my heart, and my portion for ever.
There
was a book I listened to as a child in school that had a little girl, Betsy,
who was basically a spoiled brat type of character. She decided she didn’t want
to be bossed around by her parents and so she would say “Not because you tell
me to but just because I want to...” the she would go and do what her parents
told her to do. This was a mild form of rebellion but it was rebellion just the
same.
I
wonder how much different we are when we say I am going to do this or that
because it’s what we do instead of just giving our stubborn will over to God to
change into a compliant will?
We
should delight to do His will.
I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law
is within my heart. Psalm 40:8
Or
as the New Living Bible says; I take joy in doing your will, oh God for your
instructions are written on my heart.
All
of the scriptures we read are there to work on our hearts. They strengthen us,
they cleanse us, they form our desires to line up with His will in our lives.
Some of us can be pretty stubborn or strong willed and yet when we give in and ‘give
over’ to God’s plan things seem to sync up and go smoother.
It
is funny but we all want to know what to do, and yet when we are told to do
something we do not always want to comply. Often we are told we can’t do what
we wanted to do.
Like
with Abraham and Lot we want to save everyone
but some people just do not want to be saved. We need to know the difference
and know when to allow them to come to terms with God and man on their own; and
know when to reach out and draw them to the Holy Spirit’s loving arms.
Each
summer my team helps put on VBS’s at various churches in California
Not
because we want to but because He tells us to.
Hopefully
they will line up into a thought process or statement like “I take joy to do
your will Lord! I want to do your will Lord! I will do your will!”
11 Then the Lord said to me,
‘Get up and resume the journey, and lead the people to the land I swore to give
to their ancestors, so they may take possession of it.’
12 “And now, Israel
When
we choose to walk in His guidance and direction then we can trust that He will
give us favor with all that we do as unto the Lord Himself.
We
do have to walk in His direction because it does usually matter what we do each
day; occasionally we find things we do daily do not matter as much as whom we
talk to but God has plans for us and He will direct our days.
No, O people,
the Lord has told you
what is good, and this is
what he requires of you: to do what is right, to love mercy,
and to walk humbly with your God. (NLT) Micah 6:8
and to walk humbly with your God. (NLT) Micah 6:8
When we humble ourselves
before God and give Him our will for Him to modify and make His own then we
will find peace for our soul and hope for tomorrow and a direction to walk in
full of that hope!
Not
because we want to alone, but we want to because He wants us to. When you love
and are loved by someone you want to please them. It’s a win win when we choose
to trust Him with our hearts and lives and follow the path He has put before
us.
Trust
in the Lord with all your heart and lean not in your own understanding, in all
your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your path. Proverbs 3:5-6
Dear
Heavenly Father help us to pay attention to Your Word, and to follow Your will
for each of our lives. Help us to listen to the Holy Spirit’s plans. In Jesus’
name, amen.
Suggested
reading: Micah 6:1-16, Deuteronomy 10:1-22, Proverbs 3: 1-35
And
Psalm 19:1-14