December 5, 2016
Thirty Days of Prayer…WEEK FOUR
Finding Strength in the LORD by Trusting and Yielding to God…
“Our Father in Heaven, may your name be kept holy. May your Kingdom come soon.
May your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” Matthew 6:10
I have loved watching my grandchildren as they make their wish lists for this Christmas season, their eyes wide with excitement, and the parents, our children, patiently helping their little ones to make their lists as they struggle to print their words. Then, in that amazing and loving parental way, observing them and wisely making suggestions to gently shift the thinking of their children…offering gift ideas which would perhaps be better items for them to wish for…items which would be best for them…age appropriate, and interest appropriate. Their parents, our grand-children’s authority, clearly know what would be the best for their precious ones, even though their precious ones do not necessarily agree at the time. I think that we have all been there!
This scenario is a reflection of some of my first years with my Heavenly Father as I would sit down to pray…to ask Him for His help, His guidance. As quickly as I sat down to read His word and to spend time with Him, I would begin to list the immediate needs in my life, and how I thought they would best be fulfilled. For many years, I believed that I had the responsibility to devise the strategy and then pray and ask God to approve my plan and to fulfill the outcome. I am so thankful that during these times, my loving Heavenly Father did not give me what I asked for…because it was not what I needed, or what my children needed. Instead, my trustworthy Heavenly Father gave me the perfect gift…His perfect will.
The truth is that God’s plans and His purpose for my children’s lives were far more excellent and outstanding and glorious than my failed attempts at trying to coach God. I remember the evening when I recognized that my life and the lives of my children were growing far beyond the boundaries of my control. And it was frightening…until, I got down on my knees to pray. I had come to agree with God and His ways over a period of time, but, now…now, I had to yield and submit…to cooperate, to willingly give into God’s ultimate and sovereign authority. And, I had discovered over a period of time that our Almighty God was worthy of my total and complete trust.
And, He is worthy of your trust and you can trust your Almighty God with your life, your marriage, your children’s lives, your business, your future, your eternity…This week, as you meet with your Heavenly Father who loves you with His everlasting love, submit and yield to Him…cooperate with Him…the One who is worthy of your trust…the One who will never leave you…the One who will never forsake you.
In this Christmas season, I pray that you will trust God with your life and your children’s lives…your marriage, your business, your future and your eternity. And, in doing so, as you meet with Him, you will find the greatest gift of peace and confidence when you can honestly say to your Father…I trust you LORD…I submit and yield my life to you…Have your way in my life…Have your way in my children’s lives…Have it Your Way LORD…Your Will Be Done!
Remember, your Father always shows up and is always on time…He gives you His BEST…and, He has given you His BEST gift…JESUS. I continue to pray for you as you Find Strength in your LORD, this Christmas, and every day of the year…for the rest of your life!
