Following God
Prayer:
Father God, please show me how to love people like You have loved me. When I am selfish, make me humble. Make me eager to serve anyone I meet. Transform my heart so that way I treat everyone with humility. Amen!
Scripture:
Proverbs 3 : 1-8 (NLT)
[1] My child, never forget the things I have taught you.
Store my commands in your heart.
[2] If you do this, you will live many years,
and your life will be satisfying.
[3] Never let loyalty and kindness leave you!
Tie them around your neck as a reminder.
Write them deep within your heart.
[4] Then you will find favor with both God and people,
and you will earn a good reputation.
[5] Trust in the Lord with all your heart;
do not depend on your own understanding.
[6] Seek his will in all you do,
and he will show you which path to take.
[7] Don’t be impressed with your own wisdom.
Instead, fear the Lord and turn away from evil.
[8] Then you will have healing for your body
and strength for your bones.
Insight:
The book of Proverbs is presented as a life manual from a father to his sons (see 1:8; 3:1; 4:1; 23:15; 31:2) to teach them how to live a life that honors God. He instructs them to trust (3:5; see 22:19), obey (3:6; see 8:32-33), and fear Him (3:7; see 1:7; 14:16). Living a God-honoring life means seeking His ways and doing His will. There will be times when we won’t understand His ways (Isaiah 55:6, 8-9), but we’re to trust Him because He’s God and therefore trustworthy (Deuteronomy 7:9). Solomon, the wisest man who ever lived, warns that our human intelligence is never enough: “Don’t be impressed with your own wisdom. Instead, fear the Lord and turn away from evil” (Proverbs 3:7 nlt). We’re not to trust in our own wisdom because “those who trust in themselves are fools” (28:26).
Devotional:
On my free day in Paris during a visit a few years ago, I had some time to roam around the famed city by myself before meeting a friend by the Eiffel Tower for dinner. All was fine until my phone’s battery died. I didn’t have a map, so I wasn’t sure where I was going, but this city girl didn’t panic. I just continued to walk along the Seine River and kept my eyes on the towering Eiffel Tower. My plan worked until I got closer to the landmark, which somehow disappeared behind the surrounding buildings.
I was astonished that such a large structure could be hidden in plain sight! I finally realized I needed help, so I asked for directions and found my friend.
Life can be so unpredictable. As we face obstacles and challenges in life, we can ask God for help and direction. Asking Him helps us not get lost along our journey or be tempted to take detours or to quit. Especially when life seems hard or confusing, we can turn to God for guidance.
In Proverbs 3:5-6, Solomon encourages his readers by telling them to “trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”
As we seek God’s wisdom through prayer and reading the Bible, He’ll guide us. Let’s continue to trust Him and follow His lead.
Reflect:
Why is it sometimes hard to follow God?
How can you stay better connected to Him?
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