Thursday, March 8, 2012

SOAP 03/08/2012; Deuteronomy 7:22

Today's reading: Deuteronomy 7,8,9; Mark 15

S)"22 The LORD your God will clear away these nations before you little by little; you will not be able to put an end to them quickly, for the wild beasts would grow too numerous for you."

Deuteronomy 7:22 (NASB)

O) I was genuinely surprised when I read this. This is yet another case when I've read this verse before, but it never struck me the way it did this morning. I know that when the 12 spies went into the Promised Land, it wasn't just the people that scared them, but the wildlife as well. What I didn't realize before this, is that God would use the inhabitants of the Promised Land to keep the wildlife at bay, while the Isrealites settled! This speaks volumes about the way God uses circumstances to bring blessings (see Romans 8:28). This is also a rare insight as to why God's timing for a blessing is the way that it is. Often times, the reasons for His timing become clear only after the fact.

A) Sometimes, I've wondered why God has seemed to wait to bless me, or help me, or rescue me. This is another reminder that I need to be patient and trust that His timing is perfect. If I live my life according to His plan and His timing, then I will never miss His blessing, provision, or salvation. If it seems like things are developing slowly, I need to remember that it may very well be exactly as He intends it. This makes it all the more important that I am praying for His will to be done on earth as it is in heaven.

P) Father, Your wisdom and foresight are infinite. You can see every possibility and measure every consequence and I know that You are a good Father. I will trust that Your instruction is perfect for me. I will go when You say go and I will wait, patiently, when You say wait. Holy Spirit, let me hear the Father's voice clearly. Lead me in every decision, great or small, because I do not know all of the consequences my actions can bring and I do not know the dangers that are ahead of me. Father, I pray that Your will be done on earth, as it is in heaven. If my will is ever maligned, I pray You discipline me however it is necessary, so my will matches Yours. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.

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