Daily Devotionals
The Question of “How?”
Posted in Trust/Patience
Scripture: “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God.” – Matthew 5: 9
Every day is a struggle to not fret or worry about something. It even will come during the late night hours and sometimes before finally drifting off to sleep. Circumstances can bring about these things in our lives. Yet when we remember who has the plan, we can give the Author of our lives the pen. If we try to take it back, we must remember whose we are and to whom we belong. We must get over ourselves and let God have control.
In his sermon on Independence Day, Rev. Nick Demyunk referred us back to the story of David and Goliath in 1 Samuel. David was preparing himself for battle with a giant. Saul presented his own way — or “the world’s way”– of doing battle, so they clothed David in armor that was too weighty and cumbersome for him.
Aren’t we exactly like that when we try to figure out for ourselves how to accomplish a task?
The phrase “Armor of God” is derived from Ephesians 6:11: “Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil” (King James Version). As scripture says, “We do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against … spiritual hosts of wickedness” (Ephesians 6:12). So if this is a spiritual battle that we are fighting in our fretting, then HOW are we to go into this battle? We must give up our worldly way of looking at ourselves. It will not fit if we take on the armor of the world.
Then, how is God going to fit us? We can’t just say, “Well, I’m going to stop worrying.” We must pray for God’s guidance: “But how, God? I can’t do this on my own. I have tried!” When we ask God, “How,” he will not only show us, he will do it. But first we have to give up our very selves and surrender control over to him. Jesus shows us many times how to accomplish it. He simply says, “I do not do my own will. I do the will of my Father.”
Seeking to be in close relationship with God so we will be able to discern his way takes commitment. It is a commitment to believing he can do what we cannot. We tell ourselves we are capable, until we realize his way is the best way. Jesus lived it out.
John 14:25-27 says, “All this I have spoken while still with you. But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; My peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”
When Covid hit, I spent hours and hours trying to learn everything I could about what it was. Many times the very information I gleaned turned out to be false. I hit many roadblocks. Many relationships were put in jeopardy because of differences of opinions. After many months, I finally realized I was asking the wrong questions. The why, when, where, and who were finally used up. When I started asking God, “How,” I came to the end of my questions. “How am I to respond to this God?” I turned to him and gave up my search. I trusted him.
So was my battle a spiritual one all along? I think it was. The minute I gave God control of me, the battle was done. I found peace and it made all the difference for me. I began to notice the beauty around me again. I stopped waking up in the middle of the night worrying. I stopped pouring the world into my days and started waking up to God’s creations.
If we are still asking ourselves “How?” Stop. Turn to the Scriptures and find what God’s will is, in all our circumstances.
Prayer: Dear Father, thank you for the truth that is in scriptures to encourage and be with me all the days of my life. Forgive me when I forget. Thank you for sending your Holy Spirit to not only remind me but to comfort me and teach me your ways. In Jesus’ holy name, Amen.
Submitted by Chris Lawson