October 27
Scripture focus: You crazy Galatians! Did someone put a hex on you? Have you taken leave of your senses? Something crazy has happened, for it's obvious that you no longer have the crucified Jesus in clear focus in your lives. His sacrifice on the cross was certainly set before you clearly enough. Let me put this question to you: How did your new life begin? Was it by working your heads off to please God? Or was it by responding to God's Message to you? Are you going to continue this craziness? For only crazy people would think they could complete by their own efforts what was begun by God. If you weren't smart enough or strong enough to begin it, how do you suppose you could perfect it? Did you go through this whole painful learning process for nothing? It is not yet a total loss, but it certainly will be if you keep this up! Answer this question: Does the God who lavishly provides you with his own presence, his Holy Spirit, working things in your lives you could never do for yourselves, does he do these things because of your strenuous moral striving or because you trust him to do them in you? Galatians 3:1-5 The Message
What would happen if you woke up each morning and told God all the things that you thought he’d want you to work hard at achieving, and then, instead of vowing to do exactly that, you prayed this prayer.
“Lord, I entrust to you these things…Stand with me as I acknowledge that I am neither smart nor strong enough to begin the work of doing your will in this area, much less carry it to completion. For my part, I am taking responsibility for responding to your message. As you speak, I will listen. Even in this, I have no confidence in my flesh. May your will be done in me today.”
You’ve probably prayed a prayer like that at least a kazillion times.
Here’s the part I want to suggest we add. Spend the rest of the day paying attention to how God is answering the prayer. Trusting God requires believing God. We give evidence to our belief by what we think about, tune into, and give our full attention to.
May you attend to the ways of God today.
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