HOW TO BE FAITHFUL?
"Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you."
Deuteronomy 31:6 (NIV)
The other day, I was out of town for the weekend, and right by the hotel where I was staying was a little church. I walked over to the quiet little church, and next to the sanctuary was a room called The Room of Memory. I walked in, and it was a small, ornate room with stained glass windows that created a kaleidoscope of colors. I sat in this room for an hour or so on this single wooden pew. All around the room were names of people that were written so they could be remembered. I sat, thinking most of them probably felt like their life just blitzed by. Time has a funny way of going slow and fast, doesn’t it? I admit The Room of Memory made me think about my life. How have I lived, and how will I be remembered? Some of them were good thoughts, and some were unhelpful. I guess, deep down, there is a fear that most of us have to live in such a way that our lives truly matter. To live in a way that our lives outlast us. To make a difference with our one and only lives. The problem is that it feels like a lot of pressure. For many people, they spend their lives trying to make a name for themselves to be remembered by people they don't even know. As I sat thinking about that, God reminded me of something in that room of memory. He reminded me that I already have a name. That I am a son of God, and that will go on forever. It will never fade. Why spend my life for what I've already found in Jesus? It's funny; God reminds me of my purpose, not on a big stage but in a quiet, forgotten little room off the beaten path.
Don't spend your life searching for what you have in Jesus. The verse above reminds us that He will never leave you. Your future is secure. Your hope is strong and anchored in Him. We are also reminded that He will never forsake us. Said another way, Jesus is the best investment. No one who has ever spent their life on Jesus has had a single regret because His goodness and love are unlike anything the world has to offer. Josiah decided as a king that he was going to be faithful. He decided that he would trust that he didn't need to make a name for himself because he was a child of God. We remember Josiah not because he did some great things but rather because he was connected to a Great God. This creates freedom for us. We are invited to live for the right things today. To number our days to be faithful.
APPLICATION: Don't spend your life searching for what you have in Jesus.
PRAYER: Spend time seeking God and asking for His help to live for Him. Ask Him to help you number your days to honor Him.
“… Our Father in heaven…” Matthew 6:9b (NLT)
- What do You want to say to me today as my Father?
“… may Your name be kept holy.” Matthew 6:9c (NLT)
- What do You want to reveal to me about Your power today?
“May Your Kingdom come soon.” Matthew 6:10a (NLT)
- Help me make Your priorities my priorities today.
“Give us today the food we need,” Matthew 6:11 (NLT)
- Is there anything specific You want me to do with my time or the people I’m around today?
“and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us” Matthew 6:12 (NLT)
- Reveal to me anyone I need to forgive or ask for forgiveness.
“And don’t let us yield to temptation…” Matthew 6:13a (NLT)
- Is there anywhere I’m vulnerable to temptation?