For that is what God is like. He is our God forever and ever, and he will guide us until we die.
Psalm 48: 14 (NLT)
Scripture: Psalm 48: 1-14
As we go through our lives, we encounter many different things on the road of life we had previously thought we had figured out. God can choose to send us a variety of different directions. This devotion looks at times when events can be caused by God or Satan.
Cliff Notes
- Events, at times, will stop us in our tracks, slow us down, or change our direction.
- We have to determine whether those events are being caused by God or Satan.
- We have to make sure our relationship with God is solid.
So, I went home again a week ago Friday. Yep, another funeral.
I was trying to explain to Adam which cousin this one was. I said he was the oldest on Dad’s side, and I was the youngest. I said, “I’m not a spring chicken.” Adam said, “No, you are more of a squirrel.”
Not much had changed in a week since the last time I went home for a funeral. There were not as many fields of bright yellow this time, but there still was little crops planted. I only saw one field of corn up.
To read Are Moms a Substitute for God?, click the button below.
Spring also brings road construction in Illinois. I saw the flashing sign saying that roadwork would begin May 29. They already had the signs out that would close one of the lanes, but they were on the side of the road.
What got me was that the signs were pointing north. That wasn’t right. I was in the southbound lane.
It wasn’t what I expected. I knew it didn’t matter because they were on the side of the road. But I knew that was not right. They couldn’t reroute the southbound lane north.
But remember, I said I made funny connections sometimes. So, here goes.
To read devotions in which I made different connections, click the button below.
What Does This Mean?
On our journeys through our lives, have we ever come upon road construction? Maybe we hit a closed road that stops us in our tracks. For example, we lose our job or our funding for an important project.
Maybe we have to merge into one lane. We will still get where we are going, but it is going to take longer. For example, maybe we are in school, but we have to take a semester or two off because of illness.
Maybe we have to detour all together. We will still get where we are going, but the road there looks nothing like we planned. For example, maybe we are going for a manager’s position at work, and we get it — but it is at a store two states away.
Sometimes, we may get sent back the way we came. Have we ever taken a new job, not have it work out, and had the opportunity to get our old job back?
[Add any of your own examples to personalize this.]
How Do We Apply This?
Life doesn’t seem like it is a straight line, does it? That can be especially frustrating, though, when we think we know what the Lord is calling us to do.
We think when we are doing exactly what God wants us to do, there should be no challenges, no upsets in our paths.
But here come the upsets. We have to make a choice: Are they coming from God or Satan?
Sometimes, it can be very difficult to determine is the road block is coming from God or Satan. Why would God send something that would take us off an exit if we are following His Will? He would if He wants us to switch focus.
Other times, it can just be Satan trying to force us off the road. He wants us to fail — the bigger we fail, the better. That will wreck our self-confidence so that we think God can’t use us ever again — and if we are not careful, that becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy.
It doesn’t help that, a lot of times, this is when God is the most silent. He lets us make our own choices as to whether we are going to follow Him or not.
That just makes everything so fuzzy. Autofocus just doesn’t seem to work in those times.
So, how do we figure out what we need to do? We keep as close to God as we can.
We know the drill — read our Bibles, pray, communicate with other believers either in a group or individually.
No, the answers I come up with do not change because the answer is always our relationship with God. These are always the building blocks — and the tar to patch the potholes — for that relationship.
It all boils down to spending time with the Father. That is how we strengthen the relationship.
The Rest of the Story
So, I was going the same way this Tuesday and Wednesday. You guessed it — another funeral.
The lane closure signs were there Tuesday. They were gone Wednesday. The flashing sign saying when the construction would begin was still there.
It was the day the construction was supposed to begin — and the signs were gone. Go figure.
We wish God would answer our prayers that quickly to remove the obstacles in our daily paths. He can. Usually, He doesn’t.
God lets us experience things so we know without a shadow of doubt that He loves us and He will provide for us.
The whole purpose of the obstacles is so we can grow. So I say it again, it all boils down to spending time with the Father. That is how we strengthen the relationship.
“God, my shepherd! I don’t need a thing. You have bedded me down in lush meadows, you find me quiet pools to drink from. True to your word, you let me catch my breath and send me in the right direction. Even when the way goes through Death Valley, I’m not afraid when you walk at my side. Your trusty shepherd’s crook makes me feel secure. You serve me a six-course dinner right in front of my enemies. You revive my drooping head; my cup brims with blessing. Your beauty and love chase after me every day of my life. I’m back home in the house of God for the rest of my life” (Ps. 23 MSG). Amen.
What do you think? How can you draw closer to God today? Leave me a comment below (about this or anything else) or head over to my Facebook group for some interactive discussion.
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