The Struggle of Putting God First
So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
Isaiah 41:10
It seems that everyone has trouble putting God first and keeping God first in their lives. We live in the flesh which naturally draws us into ourselves to maintain comfort and security when difficult circumstances occur. The flesh naturally draws us into self-survival and makes it difficult to totally depend on God. No matter how close we are to God we have this natural God-given desire of self-preservation.
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight (Proverbs 3:4-5). The Lord knows he has given us the natural desire of self-survival, but the difference is that when we put the Lord first he gives us his power and wisdom to survive. It is the difference between walking through our trials and tribulations alone and walking with the Spirit, Christ, and the Father who love us perfectly.
When we walk with the Lord in our trials and tribulations we can do no better. We show our trust through prayer, biblical study, and Godly advice, all of which guide us in Godly wisdom. The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged (Deuteronomy 31:8). The Lord is with us and he goes before us. The Lord will guide us as we strive to walk in his wisdom, and the outcome will be what is best for us.
Christians seek the Lord’s guidance through faith, and accept the outcome with a thankful heart. True faith is letting the Lord guide us through the Spirit, and accepting the outcome he determines. We cannot perfectly follow the Spirit, but the Lord works with imperfect people because he knows that we live in the flesh; that is why he looks at our hearts. For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart (1 Samuel 16:7). Our hearts desire to walk through life with the Lord’s guidance, while Satan attempts to increase our fear, especially in times of trials and tribulations, with the goal of pulling us away from God.
Christians can overcome Satan’s fear by claiming strength from Christ’s victory on the cross. Everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. (1 John 5:4)
Today walk in the power and wisdom of the Lord. Trust the Lord and his perfect love and know that he cares about every detail of your life. What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? (Romans 8:31). So today trust the Lord’s perfect love for you and remember that you are a member of his divine family.
Let’s Pray: Lord thank you for your love and for your willingness to guide me through life with your perfect will. Help me to pray for and to walk in your wisdom and love in every circumstance of my life. Guide me to make choices that please you. In Jesus name, Amen