Theme:   All I Want for Christmas is to Make Things OK

This eDevotional was written by a volunteer from Timberlake Church. 

READ:   Psalm 25:5; Psalm 33:18; Psalm 39:7; Proverbs 11:7; Jeremiah 29:11

THINK:  Pastor Ben’s message this weekend spoke of our feelings toward God.  He was not speaking of our feelings when life is sublime, but rather when we are feeling needy.  Admittedly, if you are like me this might be a majority of the time!!

I also find myself often desiring a specific outcome.  Possibly it is a specific assignment or promotion at work, a “perfect” spouse for our children, or perhaps an uninterrupted Saturday afternoon to do nothing more than nothing.  There is nothing inherently wrong or sinful in these desires, however it is my attitude towards God that can suffer when these wishes may not be fulfilled. 

The Bible is full of examples of hope.  But more than hope, it is about hope fulfilled.  Hope is defined as “a feeling that something desirable is likely to happen”.   The Bible teaches us that God is faithful in all He does.  The rub comes when I place my desires above God’s perfect plan.  More than a promotion at work, or a perfect “spouse for our children, or that perfect Saturday afternoon, God desires I be in relationship with Him. 

Many years ago I had to close a very promising business.  We had been purchased by a much larger, rapidly expanding company.  It was the lifeline we were looking for.  We would be financially set for years to come…my prayer was answered…or so I thought.  As the purchase was set to close, we were informed that our “lifeline” was in trouble and that the purchase would be rescinded.  Financial markets were drying up, capital was in short supply, and any remaining lifelines were absent.  Our life savings were pretty much exhausted.  Hmmm…was God absent, unsupportive, or late to the occasion?  At that moment, without a doubt I probably felt some combination of all of these feelings. 

I can positively affirm that as this opportunity was taken away, God clearly got my attention.  In the months that followed I never felt closer to God in my entire life.  While my desires were not fulfilled according to my dreams, my needs were met in ways I could never have imagined.  As my dreams slipped away I began to want and need God in my life more and more.  In retrospect the rewards of such are more precious than “gold and silver”. 

In writing this devotional this week it also got me to thinking, how I miss those days where God felt so close, so near, and I was fully dependent upon Him.  Have I slipped into complacency, where life is going pretty well, and perhaps I desire its sublime result more than God’s heart?  Hmmm…I think He just got my attention.

DO:  Have you lost hope that God is present, active, and attentive in your life?  Spend time with Him, in His word. Spend time with Him in prayer.  Spend time with Him in fellowship with others who have placed their hope in Him. 

PRAY:   Heavenly Father, you are a God of promise fulfilled.  I place my hopes in you.  Draw me closer to You, to Your desires.  Open my eyes to Your work in my life.  I desire You with all of my heart.  In Jesus name I pray.  Amen.