Worship

Scripture

At some point every school year I have to have a discussion with a few of my students about asking for permission versus asking for confirmation. A student may come up to me and ask, “Mr. Banks, may I just do this classwork later for homework?” I reply, “No. It is classwork to be done in class.” They often reply: “But, I don’t feel like it!” or “But I can just do it later.” I rebut, “So, when you originally asked, were you asking for permission or confirmation?” This leads to a wonderful and constructive discussion about proper and mature conversation habits.

Throughout the Bible we see similar situations: Eve with the apple, Jesus and the rich young man, and Jeremiah and the military leaders. People ask for something, are given an answer they didn’t want, and do what they wanted anyway. These people weren’t looking for guidance, they were looking for confirmation. When the people came to Jeremiah asking for guidance, their hearts were not truly ready to hear what Jeremiah had to say. They had a plan in mind and were going to Jeremiah to commune with God to see if God would confirm their feelings. When He didn’t, they became angry and ultimately decided to do what they wanted in the first place.

God is not our magic eight ball. He is not there to be shaken and turned until we receive the answer we are seeking. He provides us with clear and definitive guidance. Yet, our hearts and feelings are fickle things. Our flesh hates to be refined and challenged. Yet, oftentimes what is best for us is to be pruned and refined. This can be a painful process, but our fleshly desires often lead to being uprooted and thrown into the proverbial fire. Pruning is painful, but so is growing endurance. Working out causes our muscles to ache, but it is only so they will grow. Allow God to prune you where you need it even if it’s not what you feel like you want. Ask for guidance and He will provide. Be sure to listen.

Prayer

HONOR GOD

Psalms 103:17 TPT

But Lord, your endless love stretches from one eternity to the other, unbroken and unrelenting toward those who fear you and those who bow facedown in awe before you. Your faithfulness to keep every gracious promise you’ve made passes from parents, to children, to grandchildren, and beyond.  

Thank you Lord for your love that has no end. You have been and always will be good to me!

ASK GOD 

Nehemiah 6:9 

But now, my God, strengthen my hands.  

Before taking another step in your situation, trying in your own strength, ask God for His strength to work through you.

SUBMIT TO GOD

Deuteronomy 20:4

For the Lord your God is the one who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies to give you victory.

We could choose to submit to our fears of the challenges ahead of us, Or we can choose to submit to the one who conquers all of our fears and not only that but grants us the victory that He won.