I wonder if I’ll ever stop being surprised at how God works. Last night, I asked a friend for a book recommendation for personal devotional time. I’ve been reading and studying a lot lately, and even more so this week, and wanted something vetted by a person I trusted to really dig into. The book shown below was suggested, and I wasn’t disappointed. When I came to the place where today’s reading was found, it was in a section marked ‘Perseverance’. That was a good sign, in my book. It seems relevant for this period of time when I am seeking to know that I’m moving in the right direction.
As I read the verses that begin this section, it was with fresh eyes. I have studied Hebrews before, on numerous occasions, but in light of the sermon I heard on Sunday night and as I look toward the race I’m being called to run, this definitely has much deeper meaning. I certainly have lived my life surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses. And it has been a blessing to be able to know so many of them here on earth. I’ve been contemplating the holes that are being left behind as the older generations join the throng in Heaven, though, and I didn’t have any clue when I started thinking about the gaps left that I was being called to take up the race.
I’m now focusing on the joy that is set before me, as Christ did, and preparing to run with perseverance a race that will likely be filled with hardships. The joy that shines at the end is the report of a race well run, and that is enough to keep me moving forward. There has always been a sense of dread surrounding answering for my life, and it’s amazing to me that I feel that starting to lift. I couldn’t stand before God and tell him I obeyed him if I disregarded his call to full-time ministry and replaced it with a bunch of busy work that I deemed more important.
Psalm 71:14-18 says this (NASB):
But as for me, I will hope continually,
And will praise You yet more and more.
My mouth shall tell of Your righteousness
And of Your salvation all day long;
For I do not know the sum of them.
I will come with the mighty deeds of the Lord God;
I will make mention of Your righteousness, Yours alone.
O God, You have taught me from my youth,
And I still declare Your wondrous deeds.
And even when I am old and gray, O God, do not forsake me,
Until I declare Your strength to this generation,
Your power to all who are to come.
Verse 20 goes on to talk about how God has shown David troubles, but he is confident that revival will come again. He is sure that God will bring him up from the depths of the earth. If God would do that for David, surely he can get me through some education in order to fulfill his call on my life. I may have struggled before, but God is faithful and this time I’m following where he leads instead of heading off on my own.
The Guide to Prayer then sends me to Acts chapter 5. At this point in Acts, the apostles are doing many miraculous works. And their number is increasing constantly. People had faith enough to bring the sick out to the street just so Peter’s shadow might fall on them and heal them. Because of the jealousy of the religious leaders, they were arrested. For doing what God laid before them, they were thrown in jail. An angel released them in the night and told them to continue preaching the message of Life. So they did! And the religious leaders seemed shocked… Of course. Verse 29 (AMP) says, “Then Peter and the apostles replied, “We must obey God rather than men [we have no other choice].” That’s kind of how I feel these days. I MUST obey, I have no other choice.
And I think I’m mostly done fighting. Does that mean I feel qualified? No way. Does that mean I still wonder what on earth I have that God wants to use? You betcha. But I guess that’s where verses 38 & 39 come in… The apostles were hauled in front of the Council, who wanted to kill them. (Hopefully no one wants to kill me for following God’s call, but I suppose that’s always a risk.) Gamaliel stood up and reminded the Council of other situations that had worked themselves out. And then he said, “So in the present case, I say to you, stay away from these men and let them alone, for if this plan or action is of men, it will be overthrown; but if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them; or else you may even be found fighting against God."
Let me be the first to tell you that fighting against God isn’t pleasant. So, I’ll take each next step that is placed before me until he tells me to stop or change direction, because I certainly do not want to be found fighting God anymore.
In light of all my reading in the scripture, the paragraph pictured below becomes my prayer.
Father God, amid the uncertainty and suspense of not knowing and the sheer tedium of things remaining the same, help me to keep my eyes wide open. Remind me of your faithfulness in times past. Give me signals periodically to help me stay focused on the land that you are calling me to. Thank you for the signs of promise that you have already sent into sea of not knowing that surrounds this journey I’ve embarked on in your name.
As I read the verses that begin this section, it was with fresh eyes. I have studied Hebrews before, on numerous occasions, but in light of the sermon I heard on Sunday night and as I look toward the race I’m being called to run, this definitely has much deeper meaning. I certainly have lived my life surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses. And it has been a blessing to be able to know so many of them here on earth. I’ve been contemplating the holes that are being left behind as the older generations join the throng in Heaven, though, and I didn’t have any clue when I started thinking about the gaps left that I was being called to take up the race.
I’m now focusing on the joy that is set before me, as Christ did, and preparing to run with perseverance a race that will likely be filled with hardships. The joy that shines at the end is the report of a race well run, and that is enough to keep me moving forward. There has always been a sense of dread surrounding answering for my life, and it’s amazing to me that I feel that starting to lift. I couldn’t stand before God and tell him I obeyed him if I disregarded his call to full-time ministry and replaced it with a bunch of busy work that I deemed more important.
Psalm 71:14-18 says this (NASB):
But as for me, I will hope continually,
And will praise You yet more and more.
My mouth shall tell of Your righteousness
And of Your salvation all day long;
For I do not know the sum of them.
I will come with the mighty deeds of the Lord God;
I will make mention of Your righteousness, Yours alone.
O God, You have taught me from my youth,
And I still declare Your wondrous deeds.
And even when I am old and gray, O God, do not forsake me,
Until I declare Your strength to this generation,
Your power to all who are to come.
Verse 20 goes on to talk about how God has shown David troubles, but he is confident that revival will come again. He is sure that God will bring him up from the depths of the earth. If God would do that for David, surely he can get me through some education in order to fulfill his call on my life. I may have struggled before, but God is faithful and this time I’m following where he leads instead of heading off on my own.
The Guide to Prayer then sends me to Acts chapter 5. At this point in Acts, the apostles are doing many miraculous works. And their number is increasing constantly. People had faith enough to bring the sick out to the street just so Peter’s shadow might fall on them and heal them. Because of the jealousy of the religious leaders, they were arrested. For doing what God laid before them, they were thrown in jail. An angel released them in the night and told them to continue preaching the message of Life. So they did! And the religious leaders seemed shocked… Of course. Verse 29 (AMP) says, “Then Peter and the apostles replied, “We must obey God rather than men [we have no other choice].” That’s kind of how I feel these days. I MUST obey, I have no other choice.
And I think I’m mostly done fighting. Does that mean I feel qualified? No way. Does that mean I still wonder what on earth I have that God wants to use? You betcha. But I guess that’s where verses 38 & 39 come in… The apostles were hauled in front of the Council, who wanted to kill them. (Hopefully no one wants to kill me for following God’s call, but I suppose that’s always a risk.) Gamaliel stood up and reminded the Council of other situations that had worked themselves out. And then he said, “So in the present case, I say to you, stay away from these men and let them alone, for if this plan or action is of men, it will be overthrown; but if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them; or else you may even be found fighting against God."
Let me be the first to tell you that fighting against God isn’t pleasant. So, I’ll take each next step that is placed before me until he tells me to stop or change direction, because I certainly do not want to be found fighting God anymore.
In light of all my reading in the scripture, the paragraph pictured below becomes my prayer.
Father God, amid the uncertainty and suspense of not knowing and the sheer tedium of things remaining the same, help me to keep my eyes wide open. Remind me of your faithfulness in times past. Give me signals periodically to help me stay focused on the land that you are calling me to. Thank you for the signs of promise that you have already sent into sea of not knowing that surrounds this journey I’ve embarked on in your name.