Read: Psalms 39-41
Happy Easter! He is risen!
“My hope is in you, O Lord; I say, ‘You are my God.’” -Psalm 39:7
When we trust in God, we are blessed. That doesn’t mean that we get everything we want, how we want it, when we want it, or in the way we might want it. It does mean though that we will be blessed by Him.
Our pastor today used an analogy about heaven. Imagine driving toward a prize of 1 million dollars and your car breaks down just a mile from the finish. You wouldn’t sit there, kick the tires, wait for rescue, or blame everyone else. You would get out and, if you couldn’t run, at least walk to claim the prize. Would missing out really be an option because of one inconvenience?
Living for God in the daily here and now can feel like that; easily letting inconveniences get in the way of your relationship with Him. Salvation is eternal, but it can be challenging to live according to the Bible instead of the world, especially in a culture that says “follow your heart” or “do what makes you happy.”
“Blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord…” -Psalm 40:4
Trusting Him keeps us moving toward the prize even when the path feels hard.
It’s like buying a car. If you can pay for it upfront, that’s easier than paying with interest, which accumulates over time and costs more. The same is true with Jesus. If you give Him all of yourself from the start, it saves you so much. Giving only a little at a time will cost more in the long run. If you don’t fully give yourself to God, the enemy can take what isn’t surrendered. Before you finish your commitment, something shinier might tempt you, like an even newer car, taking the place of what you already owed. This can keep you chained to debt instead of receiving God’s glory and freedom from the shackles of sin.
“Many, Lord my God, are the wonders you have done, the things you planned for us. None can compare with you…” -Psalm 40:5
Fully giving ourselves to God is worth it because His plans for us are far beyond what we could imagine. You must desire this relationship. If it feels like a chore, it won’t happen. When reading the Bible, praying, or attending church feels forced, everything changes, including your heart. But when you are all in, filled with joy and excitement toward your relationship with the Lord, everything changes for the better.
“I desire to do your will, my God; your law is within my heart. I proclaim your saving acts in the great assembly; I do not seal my lips, Lord, as you know. I do not hide your righteousness in my heart; I speak of your faithfulness and your saving help. I do not conceal your love and your faithfulness…” -Psalm 40:8-10
We have to buy into what God is offering. What He offers is eternity with Him. That is definitely a prize worth betting on. Think of it like a lottery. If you could play and know with 100% certainty you would win, wouldn’t you spend a few dollars and a few minutes picking numbers? (This is not me encouraging wordly gambling btw). Betting on Jesus gives that certainty, but the prize is eternal life with Him.
Discussion Questions
- How can you give your “all” to Him this week and experience joy in the process?
- What worldly “lottery” promises are distracting you from the certainty of God’s reward?
- Are you all in for Jesus?
Connect with the Author
A Note from the Author
Hello everyone,
I wanted to take a moment to share a bit about the Bible verse studies, devotionals, and prayers that I put together. While I strive to offer meaningful insights and reflections, it’s important to clarify that I am not a trained or licensed biblical professional. My goal is not to provide expert theological advice but to share my personal knowledge, beliefs, and experiences as I read and reflect on the Holy Bible.
The insights I offer come from my own understanding and spiritual journey. I approach these reflections with the intention of sharing what personally resonates with me, what I’ve learned through my own study of Scripture, and what the Holy Spirit is sharing through me. I hope these thoughts are helpful and encouraging, but they are based on my personal perspective rather than formal theological training.
This specific Bible study is based off the book A Beautiful Year in the Bible The 52-Week Bible Study for Women by a series of wonderful authors Copyrighted by Alabaster Creative Inc. I do not own the rights to this book and am not claiming to. I am using the book to create my own version of the Bible in 365 days and continue to direct God’s word towards women, more specifically mothers.
Thank you for your understanding and for joining me in this journey of faith and reflection.
Blessings,
Maria Wilcoxon
*The header image is not mine and was taken from Pinterest
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