Speaker: Ben Sigman
Theme: Hiding
Weekend Music links on iTunes: God is with Us by Michael Olson; All Because of Jesus by Fee; Strong Tower by Kutless; Come Thou Fount arranged by Canvas.
Read: Romans 5:6-8; John 3:16; John 8:36
Think: The title of this message series “How to Die Trying” took me back to a time when I was doing just that, trying so hard to please everyone, including God. I felt I was dying inside. I take care of young children, which requires continual giving of oneself. One day, I was sitting on the backyard swing watching them play as I contemplated how overwhelmed, inadequate and tired I felt. I loved God. I felt I was doing all I could to please him, my family, my little charges and their families, my church, my friends…doing, doing, doing and yet it still didn’t feel like enough.
I started to pray, telling God all about it. As I prayed, he reminded me what He says in the Bible about just how much He loves me, so much so, that he sent his son to die for me before I ever knew him (Romans 5:8). He impressed on my heart that it’s not about what I do, but what Jesus has already done. I contemplated that and let it sink deep into my heart. This thought came to my mind: if I sat here and didn’t ever DO another thing, God would love me just the same. A sense of freedom came as the truth dawned on me. It truly is not about what I can do for God but what he has done for me.
The point was driven home when one of the children ran to me, crawled up on my lap and said “I love you”. As I gazed at that little up-turned face, my heart soared and I GOT IT! That child could DO nothing for me but his love was a priceless treasure. That is what God wants from me. I can DO that for him.
Do: God desires my love! This amazing truth set me free from the self-imposed slavery of trying to earn his love and approval. Do you find yourself trying to earn God’s love or the approval of others? Consider the freedom that God offers. He loves you. Our desire to serve him out of that love is for another discussion, but today, just revel in his love for you and your love for him.
Pray: Dear God, I love you. How amazing that I can please your heart just by expressing that to you. Let everything that I do flow out of that love not out of any distorted idea that I can somehow earn your love or the approval of others. Love, your Child.
The eDevotional is written each week by a team of volunteers from Timberlake Church.
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