Do you make little deals with God? You know the kind. Lord, if you just __________ (fill in the blank with your request), then I’ll read the Bible. I’ll go to church. I’ll stop Spot from peeing on the Shultz’s bush. Oops. Well, you get my drift.
But here’s the thing. God isn’t in the business to make deals. What’s more important, He doesn’t want you to live your life with the attitude You give me this and I’ll give You that.
Ecclesiastes 5: 2 Be not rash with your mouth, nor let your heart be hasty to utter a word before God, for God is in heaven and you are on earth. Therefore let your words be few.
We’ve all got our stories. An unhappy marriage. A dead-end job. A poor self-image. And we may know people who have failed us. Parents who weren’t there for us. Friends who abandoned us.
So why shouldn’t we make deals with God in hopes that He hears us and makes our lives just a bit better. It’s got to do with faith and a desire to know Him better.
Hebrews 11:6 And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.
If God gave me everything I wished for, what would I be blessed with? A self-indulgent heart? Self-centeredness? Greed? What about strength of character? Perseverance? Empathy for others? Or faith in our Lord, to trust Him to know what’s best for my life?
2 Corinthians 12:10-11 That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
We like to rely on ourselves to make things happen, but when that fails, then what? I may struggle to bring my dreams to a reality, because in truth, rejection is disheartening and discouraging.
But I know God is with me, and I wait daily for His guidance. I’ve learned patience. I’ve enjoyed my family. I’ve been present, physically and emotionally at those critical times. I’ve felt God’s presence. Because “for when I am weak, then I am strong.”
I once heard a wise man say make your plan and ask God to bless it. He will open some doors and close others. And when He opens those doors, rejoice, thank the Lord, and walk through them.
Fulfill your goals to the best of your ability. He will bless you and the giver. God will reveal what He wants for your lives. Maybe not today, or tomorrow. But make it a daily prayer to seek God’s will whatever that may be.
Psalm 37:4 Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.
Do yourself a favor. Don’t make deals with God. He’s just not interested. But He is interested in you. He’s interested in strengthening your character. He’s interested in you giving it all up for Him.
He’s interested in taking a broken-down human being and turning him into God’s image. He loves you. Whether you’re rich or poor, healthy or sick. Just give yourself wholeheartedly. You’ll see what trusting in the Lord will do
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