How It Is Supposed to Work

For Wednesday, September 14

How It Is Supposed to Work

Isaiah 15-18:7; Galatians 1:1-24; Psalm 58:1-11; Proverbs 23:12 (click to read)

(Isaiah 17) 7 At that time the people will turn and trust their Creator, the holy God of Israel. 8 They have built altars and places for burning incense to their goddess Asherah, and they have set up sacred poles for her. But they will stop worshiping at these places.

This is the way it is supposed to work. This passage is about Damascus, about Syria (meaning NOT about God's "chosen people"). God says that when they experience trouble, even though they have worshipped Asherah, they will, instead, turn to God, their Creator. When life is not working, we have an opportunity to focus on our connection to God, to Jesus, and shape up our spiritual lives. Now I am not saying - or believing - that doing so guarantees a "no trouble" life. I must admit, that are plenty of people who call themselves Christians that think and believe it does (or should) mean that. And some get very angry at God, believing He is letting them down, when trouble does not stop or when it returns. But that is not the theology of the Bible. Rather, it is that our trouble times gives us, give me, one more chance to evaluate my life, my spiritual growth and connection with Jesus, and one more change to worship my Creator and follow my Savior. That's how it is supposed to work. 

Lord God - I ask that Your Spirit be the most powerful influence in my life when I have trouble, stress, confusion or pain. I ask that You use each of these benchmarks of life to focus me, call me and guide me. I ask You to use each event to make me more like Jesus.

(You can download the Pathway 2011 Bible reading list here.)