You know, there are days when everything seems to go right. Every single prayer we pray is answered. Life moves along as expected. We follow the rules and things are good. Then there are days, we do all the right things and nothing turns out right. For example, we eat right and exercise only to hear the doctor say we have some sort of disease. Or we donate our money as God leads and then we find ourselves in a financial bind. We obeyed, why are we struggling? We did everything we were supposed to and still we suffer. We just don’t understand, but God has the answers we are looking for.
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God” ~Ephesians 2:8
I think this cause-and-effect mentality is logical. Unfortunately, it relies on us, not God to make things happen. Our obedience may prevent consequences but the whole purpose of obedience is to follow God. It is to live by faith. It is so we learn to trust Him. But sometimes I think we try to manipulate God with our works. We think if we do this the outcome will be that. We have to remember that God has a purpose and a plan that we cannot see. He is directing us a little at a time. He calls us to follow Him until the end no matter how long it takes or how hard the climb is.
Today’s prayer focus is on following God until the end. When we pray and obey it’s because we love God (or at least it should be). Too often, we get caught up in the temporary outcome without seeing the purpose.
Life is a series of lessons. Sometimes we stand in the middle and think God isn’t working. Sometimes we think our actions will solve a problem, or prevent one. But ultimately, God is teaching us to trust Him and not rely on ourselves. He wants us to persevere because in the end, it will all be good.
A Safe Harbor is Jesus 