The Place To Start

Wednesday, February 19, 2025

Good morning, Lord

Father in Heaven, I seek You first-Your peace-Your knowledge and discernment. Build my trust. I take up my cross and follow...In Jesus' name…

Memory verse: Psalm 139:23–24 (ESV)

23  Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! 24  And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!

Verse of the Day: Proverbs 17:9

9 Whoever covers an offense seeks love,    but he who repeats a matter separates close friends.

Daily Reading: Leviticus 26-27 Mark 2

The Place To Start

What is the first thing that comes into your head when you know something bad is coming and you cannot avoid it? Some people ‘freak out’ and lose connection with sound reasoning and some people grab their senses and ‘gird up their loins’ and get ready for the shock and the rest of us are probably somewhere in between.

In 2 Chronicles 20, King Jehoshaphat heard that the enemy army was really close and the verse says:

3 “Then Jehoshaphat was afraid and set his face to seek the Lord, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah. ”

Fear gripped the King and the first thing he did was turn to the Lord and called the whole country to do the same. That was a ‘learned’ instinct. We are born with the instinct to survive which brings fear along with very few others. Most of what we call ‘instincts’ are learned. Jehoshaphat’s instinct was to turn to God and that was a learned response-learned from years of trusting God to protect and provide.

How much do we trust God? Have we learned that God has us in the palm of His hand and nothing can pull us away?

John 10:28-”I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand.

I hear athletes say ,”...trust your training”. That may be good and true for them but what about a child of God? When God is our training, we trust Him-we trust the Holy Spirit for strength and remember another verse from 2 Chronicles 20:

17 “You will not need to fight in this battle. Stand firm, hold your position, and see the salvation of the Lord on your behalf...

20 “Have faith in the Lord your God and you will be upheld…”

The Holy Spirit trains us to trust Him-so allow Him to train you and develop your Godly instincts.

...because He loves us…

Father in Heaven,

Your name is all power, Your kingdom come and Your will be done in my life. Give me Your bread for today and forgive me for my listening to fear before I seek Your help. Lead me away from weak decisions.

Most gracious and present God,

In the name of Christ Jesus,

Amen