Define Your Reality - Day 10
***This post was part of a Define Your Reality Devotional Series during the 30 Days of Prayer for Family Life Church in March of 2020. It was written by Jonathan Travis.***
March 13, 2020
"Where there is no vision, the people perish." Proverbs 29:18. KJV
This verse has somewhat of an ominous tone. My first thought obviously goes to the thought that if there is no vision (read foresight/discernment) then people die. Slightly gloomy outlook, but I believe God inserts this verse in Proverbs to remind us of a certain truth.
The NIV replaces vision with the word Revelation. This may be a better word for vision. Instead of creating a sense of gloom and despair, it brings the light of hope.
Hope reminds me of another passage:
"So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised." Hebrews 10:35 -36 NIV.
When I read these passages, I imagine God revealing His plan for a season in our lives, and after walking through it, receiving the fullness of His blessings for obedience. Sounds wonderful does it not? Who doesn't want to follow God's plan and receive blessings for obedience? We all do. But the question remains, where do we start?
You know the answer. It's PRAYER!!! But let's be honest, sometimes it can be difficult to pray. It is easy to get discouraged when we don't feel like our prayers are being answered. When our prayers aren't answered, oftentimes there can be the tendency to believe that we are being punished, or that God is ignoring us. There are times that God’s answer is no, but sometimes he is telling us to wait.
I recall a song from a well known band in the 80's based out of Psalm 40 that reminds me that God hears my prayers.
"I waited patiently for the Lord
He inclined and heard my cry
He brought me up out of the pit
Out of the mire and clay."
Remember, your prayers are being answered, God hears them. Sometimes we have to walk through trials. Sometimes we have to walk in obedience despite knowing the outcome. Sometimes we just have to trust Him even when everything around us seems dark.
Today, place your trust in God. Spend time with him in prayer.
Jonathan Travis
March 13, 2020
"Where there is no vision, the people perish." Proverbs 29:18. KJV
This verse has somewhat of an ominous tone. My first thought obviously goes to the thought that if there is no vision (read foresight/discernment) then people die. Slightly gloomy outlook, but I believe God inserts this verse in Proverbs to remind us of a certain truth.
The NIV replaces vision with the word Revelation. This may be a better word for vision. Instead of creating a sense of gloom and despair, it brings the light of hope.
Hope reminds me of another passage:
"So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised." Hebrews 10:35 -36 NIV.
When I read these passages, I imagine God revealing His plan for a season in our lives, and after walking through it, receiving the fullness of His blessings for obedience. Sounds wonderful does it not? Who doesn't want to follow God's plan and receive blessings for obedience? We all do. But the question remains, where do we start?
You know the answer. It's PRAYER!!! But let's be honest, sometimes it can be difficult to pray. It is easy to get discouraged when we don't feel like our prayers are being answered. When our prayers aren't answered, oftentimes there can be the tendency to believe that we are being punished, or that God is ignoring us. There are times that God’s answer is no, but sometimes he is telling us to wait.
I recall a song from a well known band in the 80's based out of Psalm 40 that reminds me that God hears my prayers.
"I waited patiently for the Lord
He inclined and heard my cry
He brought me up out of the pit
Out of the mire and clay."
Remember, your prayers are being answered, God hears them. Sometimes we have to walk through trials. Sometimes we have to walk in obedience despite knowing the outcome. Sometimes we just have to trust Him even when everything around us seems dark.
Today, place your trust in God. Spend time with him in prayer.
Jonathan Travis
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