Dinner's Ready!

They returned today. Birds of all varieties filled the trees, each waiting for its turn at the feeder.  Beautiful birds. Colorful birds. Downy woodpeckers, cardinals and chickadees. Our feeder has remained empty for quite some time. Once filled, it took our bird-friends a few days to realize they could feast in our neck of the woods once again. The promise of nourishing seed awaits each bird that chooses to eat.

Our feeder, chock-full of tasty seed, reminds me of God’s Word, ready to provide sustenance to all who will come and partake. Jesus invites us, “I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst” (John 6:35; KJV). His ‘feast’ will truly bring nourishment and satisfaction to our souls.

Even as our feathered friends have access to our feeder day and night, we also have access to our Heavenly Father anytime. We have a standing invitation from our Savior to come boldly to His throne of grace, “…that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need” (Hebrews 4:16). Unlike businesses that maintain set hours, the Bible shares numerous accounts of those who cried out to God ‘after hours.’ “Arise, cry out in the night: in the beginning of the watches pour out thine heart like water before the face of the Lord:” (Lamentations 2:19). The prophet, Isaiah, sought God at both ends of the spectrum. “With my soul have I desired thee in the night; yea, with my spirit within me will I seek thee early:” (Isaiah 26:9).

What do you stand in need of today? Hope, encouragement, direction? Do you hear Him calling your name? Pull up a chair at God’s ‘table’ and let His Word rejuvenate your soul! You won’t go hungry!

“O taste and see that the Lord is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him” (Psalm 34:8).

*A re-post from 2/2010.

*I'm hosting over at Living by Grace today. Come join in the discussion!

It Matters

Decisions, decisions. Some big. Some small. My husband, Steve, and I made a big decision to go on a mission trip to South Africa, half a world away. A different culture. A different time zone, with different currency, and a million unknowns. You better believe we prayed about this decision. So many variables that we have no control over. But we’re trusting the Lord with those unknowns.

What about the decisions I make from day to day? I have to admit, I’m often guilty of leaving God out of the small decisions. You know, the ones that I think I can handle, like managing my time and making wise purchases. Yet, how many times have I gotten to the end of a day only to realize I was distracted and didn’t accomplish much? Or I caved in to the temptation to buy something I didn’t need?

Even heroes of the Bible have struggled with this one. Remember Joshua? He was faithful to lead the children of Israel into the Promised Land after forty years of wandering in the wilderness. He followed the Lord’s battle plan when the Israelites went up against Jericho. The results were amazing – after marching around the city and shouting, the walls fell down flat, and the Israelites took the city. Clearly, God was with them!

Bolstered by an incredible victory, Joshua sent some of his men to spy out the next land of conquest, Ai. And boy, did the men bring back a positive report. Taking this city would be a breeze – there were hardly any inhabitants. Only a few soldiers would be needed to fight this battle. Joshua listened to the advice of the spies with horrific results: thirty six men were killed and the rest of the soldiers fled before the men of Ai.

What? How could this have happened? Because Joshua thought this battle would be a piece of cake, he forgot to consult God. The odds were in the Israelites favor, it was an easy decision – no need to bother God. Joshua realized his mistake and prayed to the Lord. God told him there was sin in the camp. One of the Israelites had stolen something that the Lord had expressly forbidden. Until the sin was dealt with, the Israelites could not move forward.

Joshua learned his lesson. He dealt with the sin problem according to the Lord’s directives and was reassured, “Fear not, neither be thou dismayed: take all the people of war with thee, and arise, go up to Ai: see, I have given into thy hand the king of Ai, and his people, and his city, and his land,” (Joshua 8:1; KJV).

God’s ways are not our ways. A lot of times I learn that the hard way. Big decisions or small ones, God wants me to ask His advice every time. He’s extended a special invitation,”…come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need,” (Hebrews 4:16). Today I’m going to accept His invitation!

Do you find yourself asking for God’s guidance for the big decisions, but leaving Him out of the everyday choices? What step will you take today to include Him in the small things?

Prayer: Heavenly Father, Thank You for caring about every detail of my life. Forgive me when I try to do things in my own strength. Help me to take advantage of your invitation to come boldly before Your throne of grace with all the decisions I need to make. In Jesus’ name, Amen.