Day 4 - Verse100 - I think this is it...I think we're finished...but then again.....

"For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to show Himself strong for those whose hearts are completely His."  2 Chronicles 16:9

There it is...our 100th verse on our last day.  And it is such a good, good verse to close out on, for it shows the faithfulness of God to people who give themselves to Him...completely.

How do we do that while we live on this earth, in this world, that we find ourselves?  How do we do that as we raise families, go to jobs, do all the things that we find necessary to "survive"?  How do we live in this world and not become of this world, still releasing our hearts completely to God?  It is a daily struggle, isn't it?  It is a continuous tension, I believe.  I think it is why we have to start every day with a prayer of submission and surrender.  Who are you and I going to serve on this day?  To whom will our hearts be given?

Jesus said, "No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money."  Matthew 6:24  We have to claim allegiance to one or the other...we are either spending our lives serving God, or spending them in the accumulation of wealth to serve our selves.  

But don't we have to provide for ourselves and our families?  Yes (1 Timothy 5:8).  Don't we have to prepare for our futures?  Yes (Proverbs 6:6-8).  But we are told over and above providing and preparing, to TRUST!  Listen again to Jesus' words, "But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith?  Therefore do not worry, saying, "What will we eat?' or "What will we drink?' or "What will we wear?'  For it is the Gentiles who strive for all these things; and indeed your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But strive first for the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.  "So do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring worries of its own. Today's trouble is enough for today."

If we find ourselves continually stressing over our provisions, either for the present or for the future, and feeling that it is all up to us to ensure that we are well taken care of; if we find ourselves amassing more and more and never feeling that we have "enough"; if we find ourselves unable to enjoy this day that God has given us because we are so consumed with worry for what tomorrow will bring....what do these things reveal about our heart's residence?  It has surely not been given completely to God.

A heart given to God resides in His peace, knowing that He is our good, good Father, ready to give His children exactly what they need.  Does that always look like what we think we need?  No --- just as we, as earthly parents, do not always give our children what they think they need, because we know better than they what is best for them.  "As bad as you are, you know how to give good things to your children. How much more, then, will your Father in heaven give good things to those who ask him!"  Matthew 7:11

A heart given completely to God is one that trusts in Him...no matter what.  Remembering that He has promised us good things.  Better things than we would give our children.  Things that we don't even comprehend!  But they will come...and we will see...our hearts were in a good, good place in His hands!

Well - we're finished.  100 verses!  But we are never finished with God's Word, are we?  Starting in June, we will begin to study Proverbs.  I invite you all to join in that.  In the meantime, I will be adding notes  on what I am reading in the Word and what God is showing me.  I always invite your comments and I love knowing we are being united in His Spirit through the Word of God living in each of us.  

God bless you on this lovely May morning...and give Him your heart today...and then tomorrow...and then each and every day between now and eternity!