Good Thursday morning! It looks like it is going to be a rainy day. Are you looking forward to worshiping on Sunday? Have you noticed our new church sign on 160 east of town? The old one had deteriorated and needed to be replaced. Many thanks to Bill Duncan for seeking out the new sign and to everyone who helped put it in place. Many of you have been following the progress of my brother-in-law Don after he received a double lung transplant. He was discharged from the hospital yesterday. He and my sister will remain in St. Louis for a while as he needs to stay close to the hospital for after-care. We thank you all for your prayers. Here is today's devotional from "Connect the Testaments."
May 11: Being Good at What Matters
Judges 20:1–21:25; Philippians 4:21–23; Psalm 72:1–20
Though prayer is important, it’s an area of our faith lives that we often neglect. But people of great faith in the Bible relied on prayer—and not just for difficult situations. From general direction to specific details, they turned everything over to prayer. God spoke to them directly, they listened, and then they act.
Maybe you don’t believe God speaks directly to you. If that’s the case, consider why you think this way. Why wouldn’t He want to speak to you? He chose you by sending His own son to die for you. Jesus, that son, said that God would come and speak to you (John 17). You’re important to God, and He wants to talk to you—to know you.
In Judges, we find a situation where people relied on God not just for direction, but for details. The Israelites rose up against the tribe of Benjamin because they refused to address the wickedness among them (Judg 20:12–14). But before entering battle, they inquired of God. They actually asked for the details of the plan: “ ‘Who will go up first for the battle against the descendants of Benjamin?’ And Yahweh said, ‘Judah will go first.’ ”
We often forget how important it is to ask God about the details—to seek His guidance in all things. Neglecting prayer is a huge mistake. We need God’s grace, the grace of Christ, to be with us always: “The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit” (Phil 4:23). Having the grace dwell upon us, and in us, in all things, requires a constant pursuit of Him. Rather than laboring over the details of your life alone, ask God.
What details in your life need to be worked out? Have you presented them to God and sought His voice?
JOHN D. BARRY
John D. Barry and Rebecca Kruyswijk, Connect the Testaments: A One-Year Daily Devotional with Bible Reading Plan (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2012).
Until tomorrow,
Pastor Joe
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