Pocket Thoughts - 4/11/25
God * carries out the words of His servants and fulfills the predictions of His messengers * made the earth and all mankind on it * calls to the ends of the earth for mankind to turn to Him and be saved.
*****
In Exodus 11:8b, Moses left the presence of Pharaoh “in hot anger.” Pharaoh had again refused to humble himself before the Lord, and Moses knew what was about to happen to every household in Egypt because of Pharaoh’s stubborn pride. It would take the loss of his own son for the king to finally be moved to recognize God’s authority. Only after this devastating loss was Pharaoh willing to release God’s people from enslavement. Delaying obedience to God’s clear instruction results in pain and suffering. He knows what’s best for us. Why disregard the very things that will keep us under the umbrella of God’s care and blessing? Surrender to God’s perfect will now, and walk in the freedom He’s provided. - TV
*****
What characterizes the one who enjoys the company of God? He has “clean hands and a pure heart.” (Psalm 24:4a) He trusts in God, placing no value or faith in false gods – anything that would usurp God’s place on the throne of his heart. He is honest before the Lord about his own sin and seeks Him for strength to return to His ways. In God’s company, he experiences God’s blessings. He trusts God to vindicate him against his enemies. He seeks the Lord and finds Him. His life is simple, uncluttered, and beautiful. Do you aspire to such a life? - TV
*****
In the account of Jesus feeding the 5,000 in John 6, Jesus asked His disciples, “Where shall we buy bread for these people to eat?” He was setting the stage for a miracle. His disciples naturally sought practical solutions, quickly realizing the impossibility of providing for the crowd. Then Jesus stepped in to help them learn that financial and human resources aren’t the most important ones. He wrecked their understanding of what’s possible with the miraculous feeding of the 5,000. Don’t limit what God can do in your life by trusting only in logical answers to your problems. God is the God of the impossible, and He is on your side. - TV
*****
David’s deep desire was to go God’s way. He asked for guidelines from the Lord to be able to walk in His steps. David’s hope was in the Lord, and He trusted God. How do we discern the Lord’s specific steps? More than anything, it involves a full commitment to Him, realizing that the guidance we seek is found in His Word. What a gift! We learn His thoughts, His ways, and His instructions for living a holy and pleasing life before Him. Reading His Word changes us. No longer are we “a stiff-necked people.” We exchange our “hearts of stone” for “hearts of flesh,” and we become willing to joyfully obey Him. He’s willing to lead. It’s up to us to be willing to seek Him, soak in His Word, and surrender in obedience to the way He’s laid out for us. God is gracious to those who wholeheartedly trust in Him. - TV
*****
“It is a good rule never to look into the face of a man in the morning till you have looked into the face of God.” – C.H. Spurgeon
*****
“This is what the Lord says, He Who made the earth, the Lord Who formed it and established it – the Lord is His name: ‘Call to Me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.’” – Jeremiah 33:2-3
