David was probably just a young teenager when he went up against Goliath. King Saul had said, “You are only a boy.” However, the hand of God was on David, for that loud mouth, arrogant Philistine would prove this young man was a tool in the hand of God.

God proves us by the seemingly insurmountable difficulties that life presents. The giants are there and sometimes they are so close you can smell their breath.  Go with what God has gifted you with and what He has placed in your hand.  Victory can be had to His honor and glory.

Ephesians 6:13

Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.

These are not chance encounters, but providential.

Give it some thought.

Gary

I’m reading a book on the history of the Allagash wilderness. A funny account of a logger traveling some distance to go to confession is related. On the man’s return, another woodsman asked him what his penance was. His reply was that he would have to continue working for contractor Cunliffe for another year.

It’s a humorous reply; however, we do find a true account of something similar in the Old Testament. The life of Jacob is an eye-opening study. Jacob means schemer, and that he was. God sent him to the woodshed to work for Uncle Laban for twenty-one years. This is what he had to say about the experience:

Genesis 31:42

Unless the God of my father, the God of Abraham and the Fear of Isaac, had been with me, surely now you would have sent me away empty-handed. God has seen my affliction and the labor of my hands, and rebuked you last night.”

The application is that God oversees the actions and events of our lives. He brings in individuals who can help shape us into what we ought to be. They are not all appreciated, but very necessary.

Give it some thought.

Gary

I had sprained my ankle doing something that wasn’t well-thought-through. This took place somewhere around eight-years-old and it put me on crutches for the first time. There were no instructions given with the crutches or advice from those who once needed their support.

My first effort in climbing the stairs went without a hitch. However, my descent was a totally different matter. From the top, I placed the wooden supports on the first step and thrust my body forward. I cleared that second step by a foot (no pun intended) and found myself airborne without a parachute.  Needless to say, the healing was much prolonged and added injuries that didn’t help the situation.

My application is – do you really know where the next step is going to place you? Wouldn’t it be nice if you were certain of your next step?

Proverbs 4:12

When you walk, your steps will not be hindered, And when you run, you will not stumble.

If you need a crutch, give it some thought.

Gary

We’ve been having a drought the past couple of years. The other morning there was a nice rain and it seemed like I could watch the grass turn green. It seemed like nature itself was thanking the Lord for the rain.

In all of this, my nephew and I had been planning a couple of Kayak trips. However, these past two summers we’d have had to hike it on the river bed instead. I don’t understand what’s changing; so many speak of global warming. Not being a scientist or one who examines data, I’ll leave that one alone.

However, I am familiar with the One in charge of our environment:

Isaiah 24:4-6

The earth dries up and withers, the world languishes and withers, the heavens languish with the earth.  The earth is defiled by its people; they have disobeyed the laws, violated the statutes and broken the everlasting covenant.  Therefore a curse consumes the earth; its people must bear their guilt. Therefore earth’s inhabitants are burned up, and very few are left.

I love to think of nature as an unlimited broadcasting station, through which God speaks to us every hour, if we will only tune in.

• George Washington Carver

Think about it.

Gary

I’ve been splitting firewood most of the week. My wood splitter is somewhere near thirty-years-old and has been faithful over the years. I bought it from my brother at a good price. As a matter of fact, everything I purchased from him was a good price or free. This machine has been proficient. It always starts and always performs admirably. It has served me well.

The faithful service of machines and people is the air beneath our wings. My prayer is that some individuals will look back at life and include me in that category. Faithful service is acknowledged in Scripture.

1 Corinthians 4:2

Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful.

How are you doing when it comes to faithfulness?

Give it some thought.

Gary

I’m not mechanically inclined. If my pickup won’t start, I open the hood and peer inside. If the motor is missing, then I can make the proper diagnosis. (Motor’s missing.) Other than that, I need help from a licensed mechanic.

The Bible is written in such a way that it is very obvious what the problem is. Man is a sinner and Christ is the Savior. Easy! Now we can go on from there. We need to search out the depths of Scripture and a lifetime of study won’t exhaust the subject.

Here is a verse describing this devotional:

Hebrews 6:1

Therefore, leaving the discussion of the elementary principles of Christ, let us go on to perfection, not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God,

Leaving elementary school let us go on to high school and then college. There is so much scriptural learning that we can add to the foundation.

Give it some thought.

Gary

Most stories end with, “and they all lived happily ever after.” We want to believe that all people who know God are nice.  Take fifteen minutes and Geico can save you 15% or more on car insurance. As you can see, life is not always like that.

It didn’t end in Jonah’s favor and he wanted out.

Jonah 4:1-3

But it displeased Jonah exceedingly, and he became angry.  So he prayed to the Lord, and said, “Ah, Lord, was not this what I said when I was still in my country? Therefore I fled previously to Tarshish; for I know that You are a gracious and merciful God, slow to anger and abundant in lovingkindness, One who relents from doing harm.  Therefore now, O Lord, please take my life from me, for it is better for me to die than to live!”

Jonah knew personally that God was gracious and would forgive any transgression.  God doesn’t change, but the Jonah’s of the world need change. They need to quit thinking about “moi” and start thinking about God’s character.

2 Peter 3:9

The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.

Let’s change so God can be honored before a lost world.

Give it some thought.

Gary