GOD OR GIVE ME?

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In the past, I have wondered what my life would have been without my relationship with God. If it had not been for God, where would I be?

The keyword in that would have to be “God.” God in all His Sovereignty is Who is in control of us because we are His creation. Because God is the Supreme Ruler and Authority of all things, He is the one that has set everything into place. If there is any direction or instruction that we need, we can always get it from God. God is always speaking to us in many ways. We just need to take the time out to hear what He is saying.

One of the most important ways that God speaks to us is through His Word, the Bible. In other words, what we need can always be found in the Word of God. I would like to emphasize the word"need" and not want. Although, the Bible says that:

“He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him” –Hebrews 11:6

Unfortunately, we can sometimes get caught up in what we want or would like to have from God instead of God, the Giver of all things Himself. That is never a good thing. The promises of God alone should be more than enough. Even in our brokenness, God's promises to us remain true. Jeremiah 29:11 is one of my favorite that rings true in my heart:

“For I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord. Plans to prosper you and not to harm you plans to give you hope and a future.”

However, depending on the position of our heart, we can take for granted and completely misconstrue who God is or what we see God as.

It's sad that today there are a lot of misleading messages, prophecies, and institutions that see God as a 'give me' God. Give me what I want. If I do this, then God will do that. I would encourage anyone to move quickly from that type of teaching. That heart posture is completely detached from God. God is a good God, and His mercy endures forever! His steadfast love for us never ceases.

“His banner over me is Love” Song of Songs 2:4

“Greater Love has no one than this; to lay down one’s life for one’s friends” John 15:13

With such an enormous, unexplainable expression of God’s Love for us, how could we ever take for granted such Love? How could we look at God as what we can get out of Him? It’s unfortunate and very dangerous to have that in our hearts. His promises are available to us just because He loves us with no conditions. He could not do anything at all as we certainly don't deserve them. I am so grateful that we serve a gracious and merciful God.

I realize that sometimes we may be really going through tough times, but it is then when we press hard like never before and ask God to teach us how to trust Him when we can't see our way. We have to believe that God knows what we need and trust in that. We must not allow the enemy to come in to use what is happening in our lives to make us view God differently.

We should always expect the promises of God in our lives because God has spoken them and that makes it true; but, we should also be aware that what we want is not always what we need. Don't be deceived.

Father God, without You I have nothing!

SB