Daily Devotional: Wednesday, Sept 16

Speaker: Ben Sigman

Theme: Negativity

Weekend Music links on iTunes:  Glorious One by Marcus Jones; Hosanna by Paul Baloche; From the Inside Out by Hillsong United; The Stand by Hillsong United. 

Read: James 3:14-16;  Proverbs 3:5-8; Deuteronomy 3:23-27;   Psalm 27:4-7

Think: Unfulfilled Dreams. .....does the thought of Unfulfilled Dreams touch a chord? I will admit it; this idea is a real tender one for me. It gets just a little more raw with each passing year as I come to grips with the reality that some of my dreams are slipping further and further away from my grasp. Pastor Ben spoke of how Unfulfilled Dreams can potentially create in us a negative spirit.

Dreams come in many forms. There are the silly dreams where I envision myself to be a talented and gifted musician (which clearly was not a gift bestowed upon me).  While this is an Unfulfilled Dream, it is one that doesn't cause me too much anguish, unless I somehow let it fuel envy and jealousy in my life.   God tells us that jealousy is not spiritual, and harsher yet, it is evil (James 3:14-16).  God has magnificently humbled many of us in this area; get in line behind me.  I am thankful that we can witness and celebrate the many and wondrous gifts God has provided to His children.  Be careful to not let dreams that were never meant to be, turn your thoughts into daggers of destructive jealousy.

We have two more to cover today, and I will warn you, it doesn't get any easier. Some dreams are unfulfilled because of something I did to prevent it from coming true.  This may be a perfectly legitimate dream, one that I am equipped for (unlike my musical desires), even one that God would desire for me, but somehow, someway I blew it.  If I am honest with myself, it is in these times that I recognize when I have lost my way. When I recognize that I got off track and I tried to follow my own course without reliance upon the Lord.  It wasn't the dream that was necessarily wrong; it was how I went about realizing it.  The wisdom of Solomon comes to mind in Proverbs Chapter 3:

Trust in the LORD with all your heart
       and lean not on your own understanding;

 In all your ways acknowledge him,
       and he will make your paths straight.

 I can honestly say it has become my life verse. I know the Lord always has my best interest at heart. I can look back and be thankful for the times that my dreams did not come true, when I decided to fly solo, and didn't give the captains seat to its rightful owner.  

The last example is Moses, chosen by God to lead the Hebrews out of captivity and return them to the Promised Land. What a calling God had for him.  Rescued as a baby, raised in privilege, leader amongst leaders, recipient of the 10 commandments, surely he would see the Promised Land.  Oops.  (See Deuteronomy 3:23-27).  You see Moses doubted God and in so doing he was denied stepping foot into the land he so longed for.  Three things are important here, there are consequences for our doubts and disobedience; God's plan will always prevail; He gives us grace when our dreams are shattered.  Read some of Moses' words as he spoke to the assembly of Israel after  the Lord spoke to him and told him he would not cross the Jordan:

Listen, O heavens, and I will speak;
       hear, O earth, the words of my mouth.

 ² Let my teaching fall like rain
       and my words descend like dew,
       like showers on new grass,
       like abundant rain on tender plants.

 ³ I will proclaim the name of the LORD.
       Oh, praise the greatness of our God!

 ⁴ He is the Rock, his works are perfect,
       and all his ways are just.
       A faithful God who does no wrong,
       upright and just is he.

Wow. Moses saw the bigger plan didn't he. He saw a God who was perfect! Grace was indeed given to Moses.

Do: Ask yourself whether your dreams are appropriate for you (I am five feet nine inches and older than you care to know so the NBA is not calling). Ask yourself whether God is really in the center of your dreams and plans (Psalm 27:4-7). Is He guiding you and leading you? Are you focused on your dreams more than Him?

Pray: Dear Father, thank you for dreams and desires, that's not the problem. The problem is me. Help me to rely upon You, so that all You desire for me can be fulfilled.  Forgive me for silly pursuits that turn me away from you. Help me run to You. I love You with all my heart. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.

Timberlake Church | 4505 236th Ave. NE • Redmond, Washington 98053 • 425-869-4400 • info@tlcf.org