It is so easy to lose sight of that which is there to protect me. I am a rule follower by nature and yet the reasons for following the rules gets lost in my desire to do so. The benefits of of following through with the rules will benefit me yet why do I follow them.
God is there to protect me. I have a tendency to forget that fact and go along through life without really paying much mind to that protection. Yes, I pray daily for comfort, safety, protection, and God guidance, but how much I think about it throughout the day, beyond my prayers?
“23Love the LORD, all you his saints! The LORD preserves the faithful but abundantly repays the one who acts in pride. 24Be strong, and let your heart take courage, all you who wait for the LORD!” — Psalm 31:23-24 (ESV)
And there it is, “Love the LORD”. And what I see there is, always “Love the LORD”. I forget about Him from time to time, mostly when things are going well. It is up to me to remember to be faithful to Him always. Even in those good times, I have to “be strong” and “take courage” while I “wait” for Him. I must be faithful to Him as he is faithful to me as His child.
“21Blessed be the LORD, for he has wondrously shown his steadfast love to me when I was in a besieged city. 22I had said in my alarm, ‘I am cut off from your sight.’ But you heard the voice of my pleas for mercy when I cried to you for help.” — Psalm 31:21-22 (ESV)
Notice the words of David here. He is indicating that he was not seeing God, but that did not mean He was not there. God was faithful and all David needed was to call out to Him in faith to receive His guidance and protection. I am the same. I may not “see” God all the time, yet that does not mean He is not there. It is my faith that keeps Him close so that He can be there in a moments notice for guidance and protection.
It is in those times of guidance that I may not be as faithful to Him as when things are going well, I, and I reckon to say we, rely on ourselves and brag that things are so well we were responsible and deserving of all of the praise. The reality is that our faith has generated the noticed help from God, and it is our duty to recognize it and praise Him in continued faith.
Being faithful as man is difficult since I am tempted daily by the evil one. I am given just enough from the evil one that keeps me coming back for more and my eyes are turned away from God. It is God that provides for me in His glory and I have to remember to be faithful to Him as my provider. In doing so, God will continue in His work to make the most of my life.
What faith do you posses for God? Are you aware of His presence daily, regardless of the circumstances? What would it look and feel like to give your faith to God at all and in all, knowing that He is there?
Trevor's Thoughts 