LET’S CHOOSE FAITHFUL
Isaiah 41:8-13
Isaiah 41:10: “Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be
dismayed, for I am your God. I will
strengthen you and help you; I will hold you with My righteous right hand.”
Ten year old Cassie shook her head
wondering, What’s wrong with me today?
“Throw it here!” her classmate, Missy,
yelled. She stood on the spot where she
wanted to practice her ‘go to’ shot. Basketball
players have a spot on the court from which scoring is assured.
Cassie tossed the basketball to
Missy, who squared her feet up to the basket and tossed the ball.
Swish!
Missy said, “Now you try.” Cassie stood on her “spot” and threw the ball
toward the basket.
Thunk.
The ball bounced hard off the rim.
“I’m off today.” Cassie said.
Everyone has days like the one Cassie’s
having. Those days, our hearts quake. Sometimes we don’t have a clue what’s
wrong. Other times, we know exactly what’s
wrong.
We’re
scared.
Maybe
we’re not prepared for a test. Maybe something
major is changing in our lives.
Let us remember what God tells us,
“Do not fear, for I am with you…”
There are two ways people handle
life. Faithfully or fearfully. Even Christians aren’t always rock solid. How can we internalize God’s words and not be
afraid? After all, He is the sovereign
creator of the universe!
We must believe God is faithful in
order to choose faithful living.
A previous devotion showed what
Satan can and cannot do. It seems that
he’s pretty good at pushing our buttons.
He nags people about how big the problem is, instead of how powerful God
is. He questions whether we’re
dearly-loved children of God.
We
can tell him: “It is written: ‘For God
did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of
self-discipline.’” (2 Timothy 1:7).
That’s
our power to choose faithful living!
Sometimes
that shaky feeling deep inside just won’t go away. We know
that God tells us not to be dismayed; He is our God. We can’t both trust God and not trust
Him. Our heavenly father understands. Jesus showed us how to choose faithful
living. He really didn’t want to suffer and die on the cross, but
chose faithful obedience.
When we choose to focus on problems
rather on Jesus, we choose fear over faith.
Fear over our relationship with Jesus!
Take Home Nugget
Missy offered Cassie’s some advice. She said, “You need to point your feet
towards the basket, Cassie.”
A light went off in Cassie’s head. “Thanks, Missy.” She went to her spot, squared up her feet and
shot the basketball.
Swish!
When we believe truth, fear goes
away.
Believing God empowers
faithful living.
J.D. Griffith
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