“The Lord your God, who is going before you, will fight for you, as he did for you in Egypt, before your very eyes, and in the wilderness. There you saw how he carried you as a father carries his son, all the way you went until you reached this place.” (Deut 1:30-31)
This verse is precious because I have seen its truth again and again when I obeyed His leading. Shining for Jesus takes faith in Him to lead us. Once we put our faith in Him for salvation, we no longer do works for the wrong reasons - to earn his love. We now do it out of gratitude, the love he poured into our hearts and, most of all, out of faith! Yes, serving Jesus takes sacrifice and personal risk - we are putting ourselves out there, often in obscurity, often using up precious resources, giving our money, talent and most of all our time! How do we muster up the courage and desire to do this for the right reason? The answer is in this beautiful verse in Deuteronomy. This passage is part of the speech Moses made to the Israelites, telling them not to shrink back, and giving His assurance that as they step out into the unknown, becoming vulnerable, He will be with them - and will even carry them “as a father carries his son.” This is a picture of the perfect rest Jesus offers, when we work out of faith. “Take my yoke upon you (doing work for him!) and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” ( Matt 11:29) How amazing that as we step out in faith to shine for Jesus, he gives our souls the rest we crave, carrying us as a father does a child.
Prayer Prompt: Dear Lord, help me step out in faith to do the work you have prepared in advance for me, as you promised you would. It frightens me a little but I am stepping out in faith to serve and obey you, dear Lord, trusting you to carry me, as a father carries his child.
Song of the Day: Defender - Rita Springer
