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This Week’s Devotional Topic
WHAT IF?
God blessed me with the mindset of a “Thinker Planner”. One of the greatest temptations for me is the “What If” syndrome. Despite all of my planning and thought processes, the What if question comes to my mind. This is a temptation that at times reflects a lack of faith on my part. I have discovered reminders that are helping me to overcome these moments. As my brain brings up a negative “What If”, I can respond with “But God”. More on that response in a few moments.
The basis for our faith comes from a personal relationship with almighty God. Listen to the instructions found in Paul’s book to the church in Rome.
Romans 10:5-17 For Moses writes that the law’s way of making a person right with God requires obedience to all of its commands. But faith’s way of getting right with God says, “Don’t say in your heart, ‘Who will go up to heaven?’ (to bring Christ down to earth). And don’t say, ‘Who will go down to the place of the dead?’ (to bring Christ back to life again).” In fact, it says, “The message is very close at hand; it is on your lips and in your heart.” And that message is the very message about faith that we preach: If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by openly declaring your faith that you are saved. As the Scriptures tell us, “Anyone who trusts in him will never be disgraced.” Jew and Gentile are the same in this respect. They have the same Lord, who gives generously to all who call on him. For “Everyone who calls on the name of the LORD will be saved.” But how can they call on him to save them unless they believe in him? And how can they believe in him if they have never heard about him? And how can they hear about him unless someone tells them? And how will anyone go and tell them without being sent? That is why the Scriptures say, “How beautiful are the feet of messengers who bring good news!” But not everyone welcomes the Good News, for Isaiah the prophet said, “LORD, who has believed our message?” So faith comes from hearing, that is, hearing the Good News about Christ.
Our faith can and should rest is God Himself, His love for us and His limitless ability to meet our needs and direct our steps.
Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you,” says the LORD. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.
Psalms 37:23 The LORD directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives. Though they stumble, they will never fall, for the LORD holds them by the hand.
Proverbs 3:5,6 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.
Now let’s examine the “But God” response to our What ifs. There are many examples in scripture where the phrase “but God” helps keep things in perspective.
Look at the circumstances where Joseph was sold out by his brothers. Here is his conversation with the brothers.
Genesis 45:8; 50:20 So it was not you who sent me here, but God. He has made me a father to Pharaoh, and lord of all his house and ruler over all the land of Egypt. As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today.
Here’s another example from the life of Samson. He had just defeated Philistines.
Judges 15:18,19 And he was sore athirst, and called on the LORD, and said, Thou hast given this great deliverance into the hand of thy servant: and now shall I die for thirst, and fall into the hand of the uncircumcised? But God clave an hollow place that was in the jaw, and there came water thereout; and when he had drunk, his spirit came again, and he revived: wherefore he called the name thereof Enhakkore, which is in Lehi unto this day.
Psalms 73:25, 26 Whom have I in heaven but thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee. My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever.
Ephesians 2:4-7 But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.
I Corinthians 10:13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.
Remember friend when you are tempted to question and be overly concerned, stressed out, freaked out, lacking faith by “What If” questions, then follow that temptation with an emphatic “but God”. Then rest in Him.
This week’s Scripture
Romans 10:5-17; Jeremiah 29:11; Psalms 37:23; Genesis 45:8; 50:20; Proverbs 3:5,6; Genesis 45:8; 50:20; Judges 15:18,19; Psalms 73:25, 26; Ephesians 2:4-7 and I Corinthians 10:13
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