I was driving around today, praying and listening to some music when God kind of reached out and whacked me. Has that ever happened to you? Right now I am trusting God for a lot of things in my life. And I do, I really do trust Him. I am trying to honor God with my life and follow his commands. So, why did I get a whack upside the head? As I was praying, I felt like God was asking me "Ashley, would you still do all those things(trust, honor, etc) if you knew you wouldn't get the "things" you wanted?" In other words, "Why are you praying, why are you serving Me? Is it so that you will get the things you want?" I know God will provide for me, but am I obeying Him because I want His provision or because I love Him? I am reminded of the story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abedngo. They wouldn't bow down and worship the idol that King Nebuchadnezzar set up, even when the king threatened to throw them into the fire.
Daniel 3:6-18 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered King Nebuchadnezzar, “Your threat means nothing to us. If you throw us in the fire, the God we serve can rescue us from your roaring furnace and anything else you might cook up, O king. But even if he doesn’t, it wouldn’t make a bit of difference, O king. We still wouldn’t serve your gods or worship the gold statue you set up.”
They wanted to honor God with their lives, they trusted that God would rescue them, but then there is that line that I love..."But even if He doesn't, it would make a bit of difference...!" Lord, I Love you. I want to honor you with my life. Even if you don't provide the things that I want on this Earth. Even if I have to go hungry, or face suffering and persecution. Give me that kind of love, faith, and trust. You are the great I AM, the creator of the universe. I don't need you to do anything for me in order to earn or deserve my obedience and trust.
The Bible tells us: My God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19 But there are days when it seems like God is really not providing. There are times when it seems like He has just completely forgotten us.
As good Christians we often put on our best Christian smile and hide the pain. We say, I'm trusting God to provide! But in our hearts we are broken and terrified. Do I have the kind of faith that can have real joy even when I'm in the fire? Do I have the kind of love that can stand and sing praises to God even when I am being burnt? God doesn't ask us to put on a show. He knows your heart, and he doesn't mind when you cast your cares on Him. Just don't treat Him like a vending machine that you just kick and walk away from when it eats your coins and doesn't give you your candy bar. When God isn't providing what you think you need, it's because He has a different plan in mind. That plan might include suffering along the way, but somehow He will work it out for His glory, not for ours.
So, I think that is what God wanted to tell me today. His glory and mine are very different things. Even when I don't feel like God is providing for me and even if God's provision looks like a fiery furnace, I will still obey Him, still trust Him, and still love Him.
This song Blessing by Laura Story just came to mind, I think it fits - Enjoy!
Daniel 3:6-18 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered King Nebuchadnezzar, “Your threat means nothing to us. If you throw us in the fire, the God we serve can rescue us from your roaring furnace and anything else you might cook up, O king. But even if he doesn’t, it wouldn’t make a bit of difference, O king. We still wouldn’t serve your gods or worship the gold statue you set up.”
They wanted to honor God with their lives, they trusted that God would rescue them, but then there is that line that I love..."But even if He doesn't, it would make a bit of difference...!" Lord, I Love you. I want to honor you with my life. Even if you don't provide the things that I want on this Earth. Even if I have to go hungry, or face suffering and persecution. Give me that kind of love, faith, and trust. You are the great I AM, the creator of the universe. I don't need you to do anything for me in order to earn or deserve my obedience and trust.
The Bible tells us: My God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19 But there are days when it seems like God is really not providing. There are times when it seems like He has just completely forgotten us.
As good Christians we often put on our best Christian smile and hide the pain. We say, I'm trusting God to provide! But in our hearts we are broken and terrified. Do I have the kind of faith that can have real joy even when I'm in the fire? Do I have the kind of love that can stand and sing praises to God even when I am being burnt? God doesn't ask us to put on a show. He knows your heart, and he doesn't mind when you cast your cares on Him. Just don't treat Him like a vending machine that you just kick and walk away from when it eats your coins and doesn't give you your candy bar. When God isn't providing what you think you need, it's because He has a different plan in mind. That plan might include suffering along the way, but somehow He will work it out for His glory, not for ours.
So, I think that is what God wanted to tell me today. His glory and mine are very different things. Even when I don't feel like God is providing for me and even if God's provision looks like a fiery furnace, I will still obey Him, still trust Him, and still love Him.
This song Blessing by Laura Story just came to mind, I think it fits - Enjoy!