Letting God Lead Devotions – January 1st

The old adage of “let go and let God” is a difficult concept for many people to put into action. The obstacles to this often originate from a struggle to trust God more than ourselves (which we all experience at one time or another). The need to be the one  in control can be a subconscious attempt to lessen fears and anxieties. It could be a problem with pride, where one feels great satisfaction from being in control and manipulating situations or individuals for a specific outcome. There are many other possibilities for wanting to be the one in control, but for Christians, control issues often stem from a reliance upon oneself rather than upon God. Bearing this in mind, January’s devotions will focus on developing more trust in God’s abilities to lead us in our lives and relinquishing our control to the One who controls all.

Scripture: “Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.” – Proverbs 3:5-6

Observation: The majority of the proverbs were written by the wisest king to his son. Here, Solomon is advising his son to place his faith and trust in God, who will provide direction throughout one’s life.

Application: Trust is defined as the unshakeable faith and reliability on someone or something. Therefore, trusting God would be placing our complete faith in Him for everything in our lives. So easily said; so hard to do! Our first verse for the new year is a very familiar verse to many. We’ve read it numerous times, even nodding our heads in agreement, but do we really practice it? I know I struggle with the “… with all thine heart…” and “In all thy ways…” parts. Somehow, it is easier to trust God for the big things in our lives than the little day-to-day things. Here are a few things in which it is easy to trust God.

• We trust God for our salvation.
  • “Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid: for the LORD JEHOVAH is my strength and my song; he also is become my salvation.” – Isaiah 12:2
• We trust God is with us.
  • “Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.” – Joshua 1:9
• We trust that Jesus is the Son of God.
  • “In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him.” – 1 John 4:9
• We trust that His Spirit dwells within us.
  • “What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?” – 1 Corinthians 6:19
• We trust that Jesus will come and take us to be with Him forever.
  • “For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.” – 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17

These concepts are HUGE foundations of our faith. It seems there are very few if any issues in trusting God for these things, but the little things are the struggles for so many of us. Surrendering all of our trust to God is not a simple New Year’s resolution. It is a lifelong process that involves prayer, Bible study, and listening to His Spirit every day. Let’s purpose this year to strive to trust God more in ALL areas of our lives.

Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, I am so sorry for being such a “control freak”. Please forgive me. I know I cannot trust You completely overnight, but I am committed to learning to trust You more and more… less of me and more of You! Teach me to rely on You and trust You in every area of my life. I know I am a work in progress, and You will be faithful to complete it! In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.

Be still, my soul! the Lord is on your side;
Bear patiently the cross of grief or pain;
Leave to your God to order and provide;
In ev'ry change he faithful will remain.
Be still, my soul! your best, your heav’nly friend
Thru' thorny ways leads to a joyful end.

Be still, my soul! your God does undertake
To guide the future as he has the past;
Your hope, your confidence, let nothing shake;
All now mysterious shall be bright at last.
Be still, my soul! the waves and winds still know
His voice who ruled them while he lived below.

(from “Be Still My Soul” by Kathrina von Schlegel)

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“But we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God which raiseth the dead:” – 2 Corinthians 2:9