Do your part to lay hold of it

Good morning everyone,

Our theme for this month: “God’s power in you and for you”

Our Bible verse for today: “Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God, so that he may exalt you at the proper time, casting all your cares upon him, because he cares about you.” 1 Peter 5:6-7 (CSB)

Our thought for today: “Do your part to lay hold of it”

Sometimes we make it sound too easy – this stuff about trusting God, dialing it back, resting in faith. Just do it, right? Just flip the switch in your brain and all your worries go away, right? No. Not right. It’s not that easy.

Instead, we will have to be intentional about it and we will have to fight for it. We must want it and we will have to seize it. The power of God is available to us in our times of troubles. He will calm us, He will give us peace, and He will help us, but it isn’t magic. It doesn’t just happen. There are things we must do to lay hold of it.

In 1 Peter 5:6-7 the Apostle instructs us to first humble ourselves. In other words, get on your knees, admit to God that you need His help, and ask Him for it. Then, make a decision to cast your cares upon Him. This is what Jesus was talking about in Matthew 11:28-30 when He said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take up my yoke and learn from me, because I am lowly and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Jesus will help you, but you do have to come to Him and you do have to give your burdens to Him.

The Old Testament prophet Isaiah told us something similar in Isaiah 26:3, “You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is stayed on you.” Once you have brought the situation to God in prayer, once you have released it to Jesus, continue to keep your focus on Him and not on your problem or burden.

Returning to 1 Peter chapter five, Peter goes on in verses eight and nine, “Be sober-minded, be alert. Your adversary the devil is prowling around like a roaring lion, looking for anyone he can devour. Resist him, firm in the faith …” Again, intentionality. You keep your head, you recognize the schemes of Satan, you resist him, and you stand firm knowing that God will help you deal with the situation.

God is not weak and His arm is not too short. He can and will use His power to help you deal with your situations. The power of God is available for you but you must do your part to lay hold of it, and you must be intentional about doing so.

God bless,
Pastor Jim

(If you like what you’re reading in these daily devotionals and if you would like more content from Oak Hill Baptist Church, join us on Sundays at 10:00 – in-person if you are nearby or, if you are geographically distant or if you just can’t make it, online at www.YouTube.com/@oakhillbaptistcrossville

Share this:

Related

Leave a comment Cancel reply