Scripture: “Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.” – Philippians 4:6
Observation: Paul wrote about achieving joy and peace through Jesus. In this chapter, he stresses that gratitude, focusing on the positive, and depending upon God are the primary keys to contentment and living a life pleasing to the Lord.
Application: In all the years I have known my husband, he has been a wanderlust. We have been fortunate enough to have traveled all over the world, experiencing many adventures I never would have attempted on my own. My husband has always preferred for us to set out on our own rather than have a guide take us to see the sites. My role in our travels has been that of the navigator. At first, I used paper maps and eventually, I graduated to the technical GPS app on my phone. Even though my husband was the leader in our many expeditions, I would often chime in with suggestions for alternate routes or additional sites to visit.
Our life is the same. God is the leader, but He desires to get input from us. His Word tells us that He wants to know our every desire. In fact, 1 Thessalonians 5:17 tells us to “Pray without ceasing.” Today’s verse also tells us to pray for everything. 1 Peter 3:12 also states, “For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers…”
As we navigate through life, we must never forget that we have a heavenly Father who delights in blessing us. While it is true that God is in control, and He leads us according to His perfect will, He wants us to share our desires and hopes with Him. When our requests are made in alignment to His will, He will answer. Allowing God to lead doesn’t mean we become puppets that simply live at His beck and call. Jesus came to give us more than we could ever think or imagine! Ephesians 3:20 states, “Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us…”
When we allow God to lead us, we still continue to share our heart’s desires with Him. Then, as we follow Him, we can expect a life full of wonderful blessings, much more than we could have ever dreamed possible!
Prayer: Dearest Lord Jesus, what a wonderful Saviour You are! You have blessed me beyond my wildest imaginations, and I am so grateful. Help me to continue to strive to trust You, allowing You to lead me as I go through life. In Your precious name, I pray. Amen.
Sweet hour of prayer! sweet hour of prayer! That calls me from a world of care,
And bids me at my Father's throne make all my wants and wishes known.
In seasons of distress and grief, my soul has often found relief,
And oft escaped the tempter's snare by thy return, sweet hour of prayer!
Sweet hour of prayer! sweet hour of prayer! Thy wings shall my petition bear
To him whose truth and faithfulness engage the waiting soul to bless.
And since he bids me seek his face, believe his word, and trust his grace,
I'll cast on him my every care, and wait for thee, sweet hour of prayer!
(from “Sweet Hour of Prayer” by W. W. Walford)
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“Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.” – Psalm 37:4