You inspect the breaks in the walls of Jerusalem. You store up water in the lower pool. You survey the houses and tear some down for stone to strengthen the walls. Between the city walls, you build a reservoir for water from the old pool. But you never ask for help from the One who did all this. You never considered the One who planned this long ago.
Isaiah 22:9-11 (NLT)
TODAY’S THOUGHT
There is a great tension between trusting God and doing things by yourself. The old adage, “Pray as if everything depended on God and works as if everything depended on you,” sounds good but is it really what God wants? Yes, we should pray and ask God for His guidance, and yes we should work hard at what He has called us to do. But it is not like the prayer at the beginning of a meal. At mealtime we give thanks and then go about eating our food. However for our life concerns and projects we pray over what we are about to do and then remain in continuous prayer as we participate with God in what He has called us to do. The Israelites trusted God as they began to work on the walls of Jerusalem, but somewhere between planning and building, they left God out of it. Isaiah wrote, “Between the city walls, you build a reservoir for water from the old pool. But you never ask for help from the One who did all this. You never considered the One who planned this long ago.” Today, as you go about your day, as you attack the plans that God has given you, consider Him. This is a new day; make Him the Lord of it and seek Him in all you do.
TODAY’S PRAYER
Dear God, forgive me for running ahead of You. I desire to live for You and yet it seems I live my life without You. Help me. Guide me by Your Holy Spirit so that I keep You Lord of all I do. Help me to live for Your glory. In Jesus’ name.
AMEN