When God says “No” – Accepting God’s Instruction
What a strong Word from God this morning. I am getting a loud and clear Word and instruction from our Lord this morning about following His Way, and in His Will. The cold hard truth is sometimes this isn’t what we want, what we had planned, or what we had chosen. I often joke, if you want God to laugh, tell Him YOUR plans. God is in control. We have the power to make choices in our lives, and when we walk with God, our lives are good.
Scripture:
“Go and tell my servant David, ‘This is what the lord says: You are not the one to build me a house to dwell in’.” – 1 Chronicles 17:4
Observation/Application:
When we decide not to walk with God, life often takes a turn for the worse. Rather than walk in the light, we end up down a dark alley. For most, it is just a matter of time. At first it might seem small, like no big deal. We might even be deceived, or on the surface everything might look good, but then the landscape slowly changes. Then all of a sudden we are in a very dark place. Sometimes it doesn’t get dark for a long time, happening so gradually we don’t even notice it. Or maybe we started to notice it getting dark but then we discounted it and turned on our lights and kept kept driving down this road anyway. Maybe there were even signs along the road, but we ignored those and kept pressing forward. We figured that we could make it happen, leaning on our own strength and those around us. Finally by the time we accept the road we went down isn’t good at all, we are in trouble. We are in deep, and the darkness is as black as night. And after all of the warning signs that we ignored, we ask God, “How can you do this to me?” He must just shake his head at us sometimes.
So what can we learn from David? First and foremost he talked to God almost continually. And what further set him apart is that he was very good at listening and obeying God’s instruction. Sure he wasn’t perfect, but no one is. He also made it a priority to honor God’s chosen and keep others in his inner circle who were close to God so they could correct and advise him when they heard from God. And when David found out that God’s plan was different than his, David accepted, obeyed, and followed God’s direction. Because of this David finished strong, even after all of his mistakes. What a great lesson for us. We would all do so well to finish strong, like David did, by talking continually to, and obeying the instruction from the Lord our God.
#Finishing Strong-Like-David
Image courtesy of: U.S. Pacific Fleet
Prayer:
Dear heavenly Father, thank you for your Word today. Thank you in advance for getting me through this day, and for helping me accomplish all that you set before me. Help me to complete all my tasks with excellence. And tonight when I lay down, bless my sleep, and renew my body and Spirit. Help us to turn to you in all things, praying continually and seeking your counsel in everything. And help us to be obedient to your instruction. We give you all the honor and glory and praise, in Jesus mighty name. Amen.
Today’s full reading: 2 Samuel 7; 1 Chronicles 17; Psalm 2, Matthew 20
Scripture References From Today’s Reflection:
- “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” – Jeremiah. 29:11
- “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the LORD.” – Isaiah 55:8
- “When I applied my mind to know wisdom and to observe the labor that is done on earth—people getting no sleep day or night – then I saw all that God has done. No one can comprehend what goes on under the sun. Despite all their efforts to search it out, no one can discover its meaning. Even if the wise claim they know, they cannot really comprehend it.” – Ecclesiastes 8:16,17
- “Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand.” – Proverbs 16:9
About Author
