January 3

Written by Bill Grandi on January 3rd, 2020

Sorry this is late in coming today. Computer issues (it wouldn’t turn on) were a big downer. Finally…

My title for this devotion is Ready or Not.

As a child playing hide-n-seek the saying was familiar.  Count to 100 as everyone scatters and then say, “Ready or not here I come.”

I think one of the things many, if not most, people don’t like are surprises. Oh, we don’t mind surprises on our birthday or at Christmas. We like the surprise of seeing a loved one we haven’t seen in awhile (like a service man surprising his/her child at school). Those kinds of surprises bring a chill up and down our spine and a smile to our face and heart.

It’s the other kind of surprise we aren’t fond of. The kind that take the wind out of our sails. The kind that take our breath away. The kind that test our faith. They hit us when we least expect it. These seem to rise up out of nowhere and slam us. I don’t know about you but those are the kind I don’t like!

But I read something today that speaks to that. Proverbs 3:25-26 says, “Do not be afraid of sudden terror or of the ruin of the wicked, when it comes, for the Lord will be your confidence and will keep your foot from being caught.” We are often thrown curve balls. Some pitchers throw curve balls so wicked they buckle the knees of the batter. Life’s surprises may do that but God’s Word says we don’t have to be afraid of them. Not when our confidence is in God.

“Father, help me to not be afraid of life’s surprises. Instead, help me to trust You no matter what comes.”

 

8 Comments so far ↓

  1. Ryan S. says:

    Life’s curve balls can surely take the wind out of the sails. Though as you say… we don’t have to be afraid of them. Don’t have to like it… but don’t have to be afraid of it.

    Regardless we are to count it all joy…
    Not the circumstances…but the confidence that God will see us through.

    • Bill Grandi says:

      You’re right Ryan. Sure makes a difference when you know and believe and trust in God.

    • Ryan, may I quote you for my next Sermon-in-a-Sentence?

      Regardless we are to count it all joy…
      Not the circumstances…but the confidence that God will see us through.

  2. A great post for starting our new year. And I like what Ryan said:
    Regardless we are to count it all joy…
    Not the circumstances…but the confidence that God will see us through.

    Yes, That is the truth!

  3. Yes, Bill, those curve ball surprises can be nasty, but when we know God has our back, we can weather those storms.
    Blessings!

    • Bill Grandi says:

      True Martha. No one knows what storms are going to come this year but it sure makes it even more important to lean on God.

  4. Ed says:

    I’m going to print that verse out and stick it everywhere I can!