A Divided Heart

Focus verses: II Chronicles 13:1-21, and I Kings 15:3-5

The story of Abijah is a sad tale. But it is our tale as well. When he is in the throes of battle, he invokes the name of the Lord. He serves God when it suits his purposes.

When he had grown in strength -- that is after God had bailed him out of his troubles -- he committed all the sins of his father. Get this: "because his heart was not fully devoted to the Lord his God."

You see, with God it's all or nothing! You cannot be partially devoted to the Lord and partially devoted to the things of this world.

We have a lot of Christians like Abijah. There are a lot of us who sit in church and say the proper words and do the expected things and call upon God when times are tough. But when times are better, we seem to forget our total dependence upon God.

We fall for the lie that we can do it ourselves. Hogwash! Without God we can do nothing!

There is a world of difference between the nominal Christian who thinks he loves God but doesn't rely on Him and the committed Christian who knows he is totally dependent upon God for every breath.

So which are you? Are you totally aware of your complete dependence upon God? Do you consult with Him many times a day? Are you satisfied with fifteen minutes of Bible reading each morning and grace before meals? How closely can you walk with God?

Father, God,

Help us to see that You are our all in all. Keep us close under Your guiding hand and draw us ever closer in our walk with You.

In Jesus' most precious name.
Amen.

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P-R-I-D-E

Focus verses: Deuteronomy 8:11-20

God knows us well. That's why He cautions us about complacency when things are going well. When the world around us seems to be kindly towards us and life is good, we have a tendency to think it's because we have done it for ourselves - the self-made man syndrome.

The children of Israel were warned about this syndrome. God delivered them from Egypt. God provided manna in the wilderness and water from the rock. God defeated their foes. God gave them the land. God is the mover and shaker in all this.

The duty of the children of Israel was to be faithful, to trust and obey Him. When they did, things went well. When they didn't, they suffered the consequences.

The world would have us think that all the answers are within ourselves. That we can be self-reliant. Poppycock!

"I can do it myself" is the phrase of a three-year-old learning to tie his shoes. We all know how that ends -- delay in accomplishing the feat, shoes that come untied in moments, and frustration for both parent and child.

God, however, doesn't get frustrated with us. He merely lets us reap the natural consequences of our prideful actions. He does, however, want us to learn humility and dependence upon him. That's why He reminds the Israelite children about his deliverance and cautions them not to forget their dependence upon Him. We can take a leaf from that book.

Father, God,

Help us to remember all Your provision for us and our lives. Keep our dependence on You foremost in our minds. Teach us to seek Your counsel in all that we propose and give us ears to hear Your words to us.

In Jesus' most precious name.
Amen.