Thoughts from daily Bible reading for today – September 2, 2015
He says to himself, “Nothing will shake me; I’ll always be happy and never have trouble. Psalm 10:6
There is no such thing as a trouble free life. Thinking so is naïve, presumptive and proud. Pride instills false confidence and unrealistic expectations. A man thinks himself immutable and omnipotent to conclude he will always be free from adversity. Jesus said just the opposite. He taught we are not of this world therefore the world will hate us. This is not an invitation to a life of ease. It is a guarantee of conflict. The naïve pronounce an out of control optimism not based in reality. There is no way to totally shield ourselves from pain.
There is no opulent home or outrageous bank account that can keep us from never suffering. Wealth sets us up for disappointment. Boasts are not buttresses and self confidence is a sorry security. Our confidence is in Christ not in our ever changing life of uncertainty. He is immovable and immutable. We vacillate. We change. We struggle, doubt, and fear. When life happens and the bottom falls out, we have a solid foundation in our Savior. He sustains us!
“Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall” (Proverbs 16:18).
Pride, on the other hand, brews naïve expectations. This is the ruin of fools. When they succeed their confidence bloats out of control. There needs to be a dose of humility to bring them back into the realities of everyday life. Engagement in the lives of others leads us to a more fulfilling life. It is in our success that we are set up to serve others. To give back is to govern like God. This is what He expects. Godly expectations lead us down the road of service and selflessness.
So instead of insulating our lives from all danger and risks, follow the lead of the Holy Spirit. Ask questions like, ‘What does God think?’ ‘Will this opportunity contribute to my spiritual growth?’ ‘How does my spouse weigh in?’ ‘What is best for my family?’ ‘What will give me the most leverage for the Lord?’ Seek to align your expectations with eternity. It is an ongoing process of dying to ourselves and coming alive for the Lord. It is not a life of ease that we need to expect, but a life of obedience.
“In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, while evil men and impostors will go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived (2 Timothy 3:12-13)”.
Application: How can I align my expectations with God’s? What does persecution look like for the godly?
Related Readings: Isaiah 47:7; Daniel 4:34-37; John 15:19; Revelation 18:7
Post/Tweet this today: Engagement in the lives of others leads us to a more fulfilling life. #naiveexpectations #wisdomhunters
Additional Resource: 4 minute music video- Casting Crowns- Just Be Held
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