Monday, April 28 - Psalm 143:7-9

Hello there, guys!

Here's my favorite verse from this passage:

Let me hear of your unfailing love each morning,
for I am trusting you.
Show me where to walk,
for I give myself to you.

Seriously, this would be a fantastic prayer to pray each morning! It's so basic, but it really covers it!

I think one of the really cool things about this verse is the idea that it really captures the "covenant nature" of our relationship with God. K, that's a big word, and you might be confused. Let me explain. Just like a married couple takes vows, promising what they will do to show their love and commitment to one another, that's kind of how it works with our relationship with God. It's a give and take, and that's what makes a real and beautiful relationship. We see this all through the Bible, and all through history. God says, "I value you and want to share in a promise with you. I promise to do this because I love you, and you promise to do this because you love me." So let's take a look at this verse again, only now from the perspective of what we want God to do, and what we promise to do in return:

GOD: Remind me that you love me and you're taking care of me.
ME: I'm going to trust in You, and believe that Your way is the best way. (I'm going to trust you in my heart and mind.)

GOD: Help me to figure out what I should do and how I should live.
ME: I'm going to surrender my life and my decisions to you (I'm going to trust you in my choices and actions.)

It's time we stop asking God to do everything for us, and we start by taking a step toward him. It's give and take. Remember the Bible says that when we move toward God, He will move toward us? What are you asking God for? What's your part of the promise? How are you moving toward him?

Example:

GOD: Help me in my relationship with my parents.
ME: I will do my best to honor them.

GOD: Help me forgive the person who hurt me.
ME: I'm surrendering the situation (and my right to be angry), to You, God.

GOD: Show me what to do about my college choice.
ME: I'm going to trust you with my future.

Are you starting to see how this whole give-and-take, promise thing works? So are you all "take" in your relationship with God? What are you giving? What are you promising?

Love you. Here for you.

Pastor Courtney

P.S. God ALWAYS keeps his promises. What is his promise to you? Find it in the Bible, in a prayer, in a sermon... Write it down. Cling to it. And then figure out how you can take a step TOWARD God and that promise.