It begins with Sammy. He is an adorably fluffy squirrel who makes daily visits to our backyard. I guess squirrels like attention; word got out that we were watching and suddenly we had three. Now, we enjoy feeding them peanuts, and they entertain us immensely. Sammy, Rosie, and Queeny (previously Kingy, but then we discovered…) will audaciously come up to our backdoor, sit on their hind legs, and expect that I will be out shortly with their nuts.
My cat was completely devoted to me. He would (lovingly, lol) wake me or my husband at 6 every morning and demand his breakfast. Even when we fed him at different times, for whatever the reason, he never faltered in his expectation that his needs would be met. That cat never once went without food. And I am a fallible human.
Well, I am not a squirrel, nor am I a cat. And my God is certainly an infallible Lord. But if these other scenarios can demonstrate such complete dependence, provision, and trust, shouldn’t it look the same for us?
Deut. 7:9 (NIV)
Know therefore that the LORD your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commandments.
My reflection is this- do I come audaciously before my God, knowing that He is faithful in his love? If there was a literal door that I could walk up to and ask for provision, would I do it?(Ahem, prayer) I knew I would never let my cat go hungry, yet he demonstrated his devotion to that promise by coming to me and asking for his dinner. Sometimes I would tell him (yes, I talk to my pets, doesn’t everybody?), “It’s not time yet”. But I would always feed him in my timing. Why am I not trusting my God to do so much more for me?
There’s this song we used to sing in church, I don’t know what the name of it is but there is a line that goes like this-
“Yahweh Yahweh, look what you’ve done for me!”
I used to think that it was a more of an outward showcase to others demonstrating the grace of God in my life… but now, I think I need to reflect on my own of all that He has done, and personally remember his faithful love. Another song line-
“You made a way, where there was no way. And I believe, I’ll see You do it again.”
Song link: https://youtu.be/0B_lnQIITxU
This morning I brought my concerns before the Lord. Boldly. (Heb. 4:16) Concerns for finances, concerns for health, even concerns for sanity while stuck at home with my family (don’t get me wrong, I love my people, but still!). And as I lay those at the feet of Jesus, I know, trust- regardless of circumstance, that he is faithful. Because he said that he is, and God cannot go against his own Spirit of truth. He is worthy of our trust, faithful to provide, and true in his complete love for those who he has called. His covenant promise to us should warrant a return of compete devotion from us. How could I choose any different?
Let us not become “stiff necked people” forgetting his past provision, disobeying the Lord’s ordinances and creating idols for ourselves. Read Nehemiah 9. Remember vs 20-21(HCSB), “You sent Your good Spirit to instruct them. You did not withhold Your manna from their mouths, and You gave them water for their thirst. You provided for them in the wilderness 40 years and they lacked nothing. Their clothes did not wear out, and their feet did not swell.
He did it for them, surely, he will do the same for us. Let us believe!
Prayers and Petition 