Prayer Journal
Thursday, July 10, 2003
"Cursed is the one who trusts in man, who depends on flesh for his strength... But blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him." Jeremiah 17:5;7
It would be interesting to note the response of an average church congregation if they were asked to reveal the source of their strength. Most would probably claim they exist solely by the grace of the Lord, but as for trust, well that's another matter all together.
Then there's the question of knowing when it's you're doing something and when it's God doing it through you. How can we really be certain?
As a prophet of God during the captivity, Jeremiah knew about marching to the beat of a different drummer. He was dedicated to obeying the Lord regardless of what others did. And for that, he paid quite a price, both physically and emotionally. So it is when you tell people what they need to know rather than what they want to hear.
Jeremiah said the man whose trust was in the Lord would be like a tree planted by the water whose roots go deep. They'd know no fear when it got hot, their leaves would always be green and there'd always be fruit on their branches. (Vs. 7-8)
But how can I know when my confidence is in the Lord and not in my own ability? Proverbs 16:9 says the man of God plans his course but it is the Lord who determines his steps. In other words, "I know what I need to accomplish today, but I refuse to do it unless God is in it.
Moses was like that. He said, "God, don't send me over there if you don't plan to go with me." (Ex 33:15) If our faith was like Moses', I wonder what today would be like? One thing for sure, every time I saw God working out something I thought impossible, I'd gain more and more confidence in his ability and lean less on my own.
Got roots? If so, don't forget to spread a balanced fertilizer over the soil where you're planted; 50% confidence and 50% trust. Then soak the ground with the Word of God while lifting your branches to heaven in praise to the Master Gardener. Finally, get ready to enjoy the day the Lord has made!
Just Thinkin'... WebServant
Scripture comes from the Holy Bible, New International Version; (c)1978 by New York International Bible Society
Copyright © 1998-2003
James R. Green and Prayertower Ministries
All Rights Reserved
I'll pray today for...
* My spouse
* My children
* Their friends
* My friends
* My employer
* My city
* My country
* Civic leaders
* Schools
* Teachers
* The sick
* The lost
* Those in despair
* The hospitalized
* The grieving
* Widows
* Orphans
* My church
* My pastor
* Church leaders
* Other churches
* Persecuted church
* Missionaries
* Myself
