Decisions, Decisions

Verse of the Day: Psalms 94:18

“When I felt my feet slipping, you came with your love and kept me steady.” (CEV)

“The minute I said, “I’m slipping, I’m falling,” your love God, took hold and held me fast.” (MSG)

“I cried out, “I am slipping!” but your unfailing love O LORD, supported me.” (NLT)

“When I said, “My foot is slipping,” your unfailing love, Lord, supported me.” (NIV)

“When I said, My foot slippeth; thy mercy, O Lord, held me up.” (KJV)

FORETHOUGHT What does this verse mean to you? Take a minute and write down your thoughts.

LET’S TALK

On a plane ride back from Arizona a few years ago, I was seated next to a man whom I knew was about to be a very talkative passenger. So, like any good proactive person, I put in my headphones shortly after takeoff (which is the universal flight language for “I’m not open to talking”). I spoke the flight language, he did not.

After losing my battle for quietness, he began to tell me of a struggle he, his wife, and his daughters were having. He described himself as a simple man who wanted few things and genuinely enjoyed his family. He’d spent years developing and landscaping the ranch where his family lived. It was a few acres of land, away from the city. It was his “place of peace.” However, his wife and daughters had expressed the desire to be closer to the city because there were more activities and events. Essentially, they were bored with the current situation. At this time, he questioned whether to keep the ranch because it would be beneficial long term or to move to meet his family’s current desire.

The conflict he faced in his family is much like the daily conflict we face with our spirit and flesh. We constantly battle with wanting to place all hope in God or running to things that give us immediate satisfaction. We know that faith in God is the decision that will sustain us for life, but the allure of “right now” is strong. God knows this too, which is why He continuously affirms us with His promises to keep us …if we’ll just choose Him.

PRAYER Father, thank You for this chance to be in Your presence another day. Thank You for revealing Yourself to me on another level. You have graced me to have a relationship with You and to have a heart touched by the Holy Spirit. You have allowed me to grow in You in ways I didn’t know I needed. Father, please remove any remnants of my will from my heart, so that I may fully have Your desires. Please change my perspective from the “right now” to forever.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.

REFLECT

Be honest. It’s only you and God.

1. What is the “right now” you’re holding on to?

2. What are God’s promises to you? If you’re not sure, ask Him now.

3. How can you purse His promises?