We continued another week with Settle My Soul. This devotional has been unsettling my ways while it settles my soul.
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Paul was traveling and preaching. There was nothing wrong with Paul’s desire to preach, but it was not in God’s timing.
In Acts 16:6-7, we find the Holy Spirit had prevented him from preaching in the province of Asia.
The Holy Spirit often guides as much by the closing of doors as He does by the opening of doors. In our human nature, we prefer open doors to closed doors.
We forget His thoughts are nothing like ours; and His ways are far beyond anything we can imagine. We will never be fully able to understand His thoughts and ways.
David Livingstone wanted to go to China, but God sent him to Africa. William Carey wanted to go to Polynesia, but God sent him to India. Adoniram Judson went to India, but God guided him to Burma. God guides us along the way, to just the right place.
(David Guzik, Enduring Word Bible Commentary)
Lord, help us to trust you with both our open doors and our closed doors, as both are held in Your control. Forgive us for when we become frustrated or discouraged with a closed door. Help us to remember You alone guide us to just the right place at the right time. In Your Name We Pray, Amen.
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“Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives.”
(Galatians 5:25, NLT)
In this passage, Paul reminds us living in the Spirit means to follow the Spirit’s lead – not running ahead but not lagging behind.
“It is not by force nor by strength, but by my Spirit, says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.”
(Zechariah 4:6, NLT)
My Bible commentary brings this thought:
“We can attempt to do God’s work in three ways: we can trust our own strength and wisdom; we can borrow the resources of the world; or we can depend on the power of God. The first two approaches may appear to succeed, but they’ll fail in the end.”
I have surely tried doing things using the first two approaches and can attest only the third approach produces fruit and fulfillment.
The study asks: What areas of your life are you pursuing in your own strength? What is one way you can begin to rely on the power and presence of the Holy Spirit in your life?
“If we accomplish anything that truly matters for God, it will be in the strength He supplies through His Spirit.” (from Settle My Soul, page 55)
Lord, help us to depend on You for all things, and in all things. Help us not to run ahead but also not to lag behind. Help us not to trust in ourselves, nor borrow from the world, but to depend on You alone. You are the One who will give us strength to be productive as we come to You each day. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
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We closed the week with reading Psalm 13:; Hebrews 13:5; and Philippians 1:6.
The psalmist asks questions reflecting his pain and doubts. We can ask our questions of God as our questions often lead us to examine our situations and grow deeper with Him.
My Bible commentary explains:
“God’s people don’t live on explanations; they live on promises, and those promises are as unchanging as the character of God.”
Sometimes our situations may not change but God changes us. The author puts it this way:
“The hard road is usually the holy road – the journey God uses to bring about the deepest change that our souls desperately need.”
Where do you sense God wants to grow you the most in a difficult season or circumstance you may be facing?
“And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.” (Philippians 1:6, NLT)
Lord, these hard roads may be holy but they are difficult none the less. Help us to live on your promises. Help us to remember and cling to the promise that you will complete the work you have begun in each of our lives. In Jesus’ Name we pray, Amen.
This song has been such an encouragement to my heart for weeks now. May it bless each of you today!
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Even on the hard roads,
we must trust God’s timing and
rely on His strength.
Photo 1:Â by Philipp Berndt on Unsplash
Photo 2:Â by Jon Tyson on Unsplash
Today I am joining … InstaEncouragements and Grace Full Tuesday and Purposeful Faith .
Joanne, such a great post. I think the section that I’ve been grappling with is making sure that I am doing what the Lord has directed me to do and working in His power, not relying on myself or the world’s resources. Thank you for these insightful words toda!
Joanne, you just made my morning! Even now! It’s like saying, “But God.” I love when the Bible says that! I have added this song to my worship playlist. Thank you!
I love your points here and quotes, especially “God’s people don’t live on explanations; they live on promises, and those promises are as unchanging as the character of God.” <”” THAT is so true! Thanks for the great reminders!
Thank you for linking up at InstaEncouragements!
So glad you enjoyed the song. It is always encouraging to join you!
Joanne,
I am guilty of trying to run ahead of the Spirit. And, I have also tried to accomplish many things in my own strength. Both of these avenues had me failing miserably!! God has closed some doors that I was just sure that He would open. In the end, He knows best; He is good, and I need to trust that. Love Travis Cottrell – saw him in concert at The Cove – Billy Graham’s Training Center in the NC mountains.
Blessings sweet friend,
Bev xx
Bev, may we trust Him with all the doors – open and closed – as He truly knows what is best and is always working for our good. I would love to one day go to The Cove!