Thoughts from daily Bible reading for today – September 6, 2018
By Tripp Prince
Philip found Nathanael and told him, “We have found the one Moses wrote about in the Law, and about whom the prophets also wrote—Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.” “Nazareth! Can anything good come from there?” Nathanael asked. “Come and see,” said Philip. John 1:45-46 (NIV)
Have you ever wanted something that may take a lifetime to achieve? Something that you long for in the deepest part of your being, yet you know it may take years or decades for it to be true, but not a day passes that you don’t think about it, long for it, and work towards it. It could be a relationship, a career, or freedom from physical or emotional pain.
For the people of Israel, all of their hopes and longings were caught up in the promise that God would free them from their oppressors and restore to them the hope of land and life lived under God’s rule and reign. Jesus was born into a time in Israel’s history when this dream was at an all time low. Though they still held out hope, God had been (seemingly) distant and uninvolved for centuries while they lived in oppression from foreign rule. As each generation came and went, the hopes and expectations of God keeping his promises seemed to grow consistently fainter and weaker, so much so, that when God does give them what they most deeply desire, they are skeptical, doubtful, and refuse to believe.
Jesus did not fit the mold of their longed-for messiah. They expected a strong and mighty warrior who was ready to lead a revolution of freedom, yet what they got was a humble handyman from the countryside. God answered their prayer, yet their expectations were so radically different that they nearly missed God’s provision as a result!
Have you ever been so set in your expectations of how something will play out, that when God does provide, you struggle to see his faithfulness and goodness? Are you willing to adjust your desires and expectations in light of God’s unfolding plan and provision? Do you believe that his plans are always best and will lead to a flourishing life of peace and joy?
When you find yourself doubting God’s goodness or faithfulness, wondering how this could possibly be the answer to his promise, press in closer to the life of God and stay near to his heart of love. When we draw near to Jesus, our trust deepens and courage grows. If you find your faith faltering today, remember what Philip said to Nathaniel the skeptic: “Come and see.”
Prayer
Father, help us to trust your goodness and receive your provision with joyful and grateful hearts, in Jesus’ name we pray, amen.
Application
Where have your preconceived expectations kept you from seeing God’s faithfulness in your life?
Related Reading
Joshua 21:45; Luke 1:45; Philippians 1:6
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This devotion blessed me. The song by needtobreathe is awesome. Thank you all! Billi Jo
Dear Billie Jo,
Thank you for reaching out to us. I am with you on the Need to Breathe song – it is AWESOME!! And we are thankful you were blessed by the devotional. We give all the glory to the Author of all of our stories, Our Father!
When Tripp stated “When you find yourself doubting God’s goodness or faithfulness, wondering how this could possibly be the answer to His promise, press in closer to the life of God and stay near to His heart of love”, we are reminded of just how close our Father is to us, waiting for us to reach for Him. What a great comfort that is.
Rejoicing in our heavenly Father!
Gwynne