Invitation to Meet

 

                                                  

“But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.” Matthew 6:6 (NIV)

There is something special about lunch with a close friend. Especially when it is just the two of you. A private lunch invites private conversation. Things can be shared at a private lunch that would not be shared in a larger group. Personal joys and personal struggles. A time to listen and a time to speak. A private lunch with a friend is a precious joy. 

Amazingly, God our Father invites us to meet privately with Him. When we pray, He invites us to share our personal joys and our personal struggles. He always listens and always understands. As we open His Word, He speaks to us. Like a good friendship, our meeting includes both speaking and listening. A private time with God is a precious joy.

Lord, thank you for inviting me today to meet with You. Thank you, too, that You will invite me again tomorrow. And that with each sunrise comes a new invitation. What a privilege to have a God who wants to spend time with me!

 

 

Exactly

 

                                                      

 

“I love the Father and do exactly what my Father has commanded me.” John 14:31B

 

“Now Noah did everything just as God commanded him.” Genesis 6:22

 

Jesus loved the Father and pledged to do exactly what the Father commanded Him to do.  For Jesus, this meant going to the cross.  

 

Noah was a man who desired to obey God.  For Noah, this meant building an ark in a world that had never seen rain.

 

Do I do “exactly” what God commands me to do? Or are my standards of obedience 99% or 90% or even less?  The Sovereign God deserves 100% obedience.  Anything less is sin. 

 

If God tells me to do something, I must do it.  When God says to go, I must go. There is no room for negotiation. It is audacious to suggest that a Sovereign God is wrong! When I disobey or partially obey, that is what I am doing. And, sadly, I do just that far too often!  

 

Lord, open my eyes to see who You are. Give me the tiniest glimpse of Your greatness, holiness, and majesty. Cause me to remember Your love and goodness and wisdom. May I bow before You in worship and submission. Give me the grace, dear Lord, to do exactly what You tell me to do. You deserve nothing less.