What happened to me? How did I end up here? I never thought this would be my life.
Have you had thoughts and questions like these? It can be so hard to look back over our life and identify moments when we were at crossroads and chose a path that wasn’t the best for us. We all have choices to make every day.
What choice takes you down the best path? For me, it was choosing to walk with Jesus. I made wrong choices along the way. Regardless of how many I made or when I made (or make) them, He is faithful.
I read this passage from the Bible this morning from 1 Samuel 12: 20-24 “Then Samuel said to the people, “DO NOT FEAR. You have done all this wickedness; yet DO NOT TURN ASIDE FROM FOLLOWING THE LORD, BUT SERVE THE LORD WITH ALL YOUR HEART. And do not turn aside; FOR THEN YOU WOULD GO AFTER EMPTY THINGS WHICH CANNOT PROFIT OR DELIVER, FOR THEY ARE NOTHING. For THE LORD WILL NOT FORSAKE HIS PEOPLE, for His great name's sake, because it has pleased the Lord to make you His people. Moreover, as for me, far be out from me that I should sin against the Lord in ceasing to pray for you; but I will teach you the good and the right way. Only fear the Lord, and serve Him in truth with all your heart; for consider what great things He has done for you.”
As I read this passage, I was struck by the CAPITALIZED phrases.
DO NOT FEAR. - how often do we get afraid? We choose sometimes out of fear and find ourselves in a situation we never really wanted. I have heard there are 365 different verses in the Bible telling us not to be afraid. Wow! One for every day of the year. That tells me that God REALLY wants us to get that deep inside. We do not need to be afraid when we walk with Him.
DO NOT TURN ASIDE FROM FOLLOWING THE LORD, BUT SERVE THE LORD WITH ALL YOUR HEART - when we choose to follow the Lord and serve Him with our whole heart, we choose wisely. We will be led by Him on the path He created and designed for us. He has our best interest at heart so we can trust Him. The more I have stuck to this choice, the greater the peace and joy in my heart!
FOR THEN YOU WOULD GO AFTER EMPTY THINGS WHICH CANNOT PROFIT OR DELIVER, FOR THEY ARE NOTHING - This verse is so impactful. It tells us when we choose a path away from the Lord we choose empty things. These empty things cannot profit us or deliver to us anything of value. The empty things are nothing. Wow, meditate on this for a time, and let the Lord show you the things you have that are empty and ask Him to show you the better way. I have done this and have let go of empty things. As I let go of those, the Lord then has room to fill that part of my life with the better things!
THE LORD WILL NOT FORSAKE HIS PEOPLE - Once you choose to follow the Lord, He will never leave you. You will always have Him with you. The Lord knows you intimately, better than anyone else because He created you. He knows what is best for you and will guide you and be with you as you navigate life. I have found Him more faithful and trustworthy than any person I have ever known, and I know some amazing people!
I pray this mini devotion blesses your heart and provides some guidance for you.
If you desire this relationship, want to stand strong in your relationship with the Lord, or need some support and encouragement as you walk through life, please drop me a message. I welcome the opportunity to talk with you.
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