Daily Devotional For Friday, December 1, 2023
Have you ever planned out your day one you were very excited about it but somewhere along the way it did not go the way wanted? Proverbs 16:9 says, “We can make our plans, but the LORD determines our steps” (NLT). How well I found that out tonight. Many of you know that ai have had several strokes and TIAs. Well, ai had another TIA this afternoon. Ai was at a 4 miles of a 5 mile run and all of a sudden, I felt this weakness starting in my left shoulder and then in my right.
I was concerned that maybe it was another TIA. Then I started having some visual issues. Amy wife, Audrey took me to the ER, where a CAT scan and other tests confirmed another TIA. I have been a runner and cyclist most of my life. I have done this in hope I could avoid some major health issues.
Well, ai quickly discovered the reality of Proverbs 16:9 this afternoon and tonight. Therefore, I plan to do what the Bible Lyfe Version says with Psalm 127:1, “Since we cannot obtain security though independent effort, let us resolve ourselves to depend on God.” Trusting God with the known can be challenging and trusting God with the unknown can seem like something impossible to do.
What is something you have difficulty trusting God with in your life? Is it the death of a loved one? The failure of a marriage?An unforeseen illness? An abusive parent or spouse? A misunderstanding by someone a your church? Someone either gossiping or lying about you that caused others to question your character or integrity?
Philippians 2:13 says, “For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases Him” (NLT). The Greek New Testament word translate as “working” is [ἐνεργεῖν, energein], which is where we get our English word ‘“energy.” God is the energy source of your life, not you. God gives you the power to will to do that which brings Him glory. You’re not just going on your own power or will. God says He gives you the power you need, no matter what you’re facing.
The Apostle Paul wrote this in 2 Corinthians 3:5, “Not that we are sufficient in ourselves to claim anything as coming from us, but our sufficiency is from God” (ESV). Do you live as if you are sufficient to do everything you want to do, even for God? None of us are sufficient even if we act like it.
The way we know we are not sufficient is we pray to God. Questions to ask yourself:
- How would you rate your pryer life when you have a decision to make or some task to do? Read Proverbs 3:5-6.
- Do you sit still long enough for God to respond to you or do you just move forward? Read Psalm 46:10.
- Do you ask others to pray for you and with you? Read Hebrews 7:25.
Verse To Meditate On: Romans 8:26, “And the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness. For example, we don’t know what God wants us to pray for. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words” (NLT).
Prayer to Pray: “Dear Jesus, I want to depend totally on You, not myself. Please help me to trust You to meet all of my needs, to give me the power -- Your energy -- to do what I need to do, to pray to You asking You to guide me, and asking others to pray for me also. Forgive me, when I go my own way. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”