Day 136.
Blessed be the Lord!
For he has heard the voice of my pleas for mercy.
7 The Lord is my strength and my shield;
in him my heart trusts, and I am helped;
my heart exults,
and with my song I give thanks to him. (Psalm 28:6-7)
I know a couple that has faced some big challenges and they sought the Lord and counsel to get through it. They seemed serious about turning to the Lord. But as God delivered they have gone back to their old habits. I do not see them turning to the Lord anymore. It seems he served his purpose and now they have no need of him. Even as I shake my head in dismay over them as they merely use God for their own ends rather than pursue God as their ultimate end I am convicted for doing the same thing. Yes, I know I’m a pastor and spend regular time in prayer and the Word. But I still recognize my own attitude as the same. I ask for help in putting together a sermon or a lesson and God answers. But when do I return to Him and give thanks and rejoice with Him? I do, but not always right away. I forget and simply enjoy the blessing people received, as though it were the work of my hands.
The Psalms of David are such good reminders to give thanks and rejoice with God over the answers He provides, for He is much more to me than the things he can do for me. Lord, protect me from myself!
