Consult The Lord In All Things
Hi, I’m Joni Eareckson Tada with a convicting word from Scripture.
But it is also a comforting word. Isn’t that just the way the Bible is? I mean, you read a verse that makes you feel really, really guilty – and it’ll do that if you are guilty – but at the same moment, it gives comfort. Because it’s always comforting when the Holy Spirit convicts, reproves, and corrects you so that you can get back on the right path. So that you don’t wander down the road to self-centeredness or sin. Like, what happened to me, the other day.
My friend and I were at my computer, and we were downloading an online rental agreement. You know, it’s one of those standard things where you just fill in the blanks. My friend is renting out a room in her house, and she wanted me to help her fill out the document. With her sitting next to me, we read the first page; I explained a few things about optional clauses, and then we jumped in and began filling in the address of the rental property, the stipulations about maintenance and having pets and when the rent would be due, and so on. We got about 10 minutes into this when, it hit me. We had not stopped and prayed. Did I not first go to the Lord because it was just a “fill-in-the-blank document”? You know, just housekeeping stuff that requires no real prayer? No need for God’s involvement? What??! Did I just say that? No need for God’s involvement!? May it never be.
Hosea chapter 4 describes a time when the Lord actually laments. I mean, really, He gets angry. God is dismayed that His children, His people do not consult Him. The result? Famine in the land and no rain on Israel’s crops for years. And just like God’s people of old, we need to remember what happens when we fail to consult God, yes, even in the most mundane things. And a rental agreement is not even mundane! But like you, I can tend to look at such a task as ordinary, no big deal, we know how this goes, we’ve got a handle on it, we don’t really need the Lord’s input; we don’t require Him. So, let’s just plow ahead. Well, when Hosea chapter 4 came to mind, right there at the computer, we paused on page two, pushed away from my desk, and sought the Lord Jesus for His guidance. We stopped and we prayed, “Oh, God, please, you’re the One who’s gotta lead us through this legal agreement.” And as we prayed, we realized, that hey, my friend needed prayer as to who she should rent that room to! And that’s no mundane matter. From then on out, my friend and I had the calm assurance that, for one thing, we weren’t testing the patience of God and, for another, we were completely in line with the Lord’s desires.
So, join me today, would you, in not grieving God; not causing him to lament or feel dismay over our obstinate attitude about when-we-think-we-need-Him-and-when-we-think-we-do not. For whatever the reason, no matter how small or great, consult the Lord. As Psalm 37:5 says, “Commit your way to the Lord, trust also in Him, and He shall bring it to pass.” Friend, God’ll direct your paths as you trust in Him. Oh, and by the way, my friend found a really, really great roommate who was happy to sign the rental agreement. So, thank you for listening to these encouraging words today, and thank you for remembering Hosea chapter 4 and Psalm 37. Consult the Lord and commit your way to Him, and you will have the calm assurance that you are completely in line with what the Lord wants for your life.
And one more thing, we at Joni and Friends would love to pray for you and your troubles. So, share with us your prayer need today at joniradio.org
© Joni and Friends
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