And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. – Romans 8:28 (NKJV)
Yesterday we encouraged you not to be flustered even in difficult moments. Today, I would like to continue recounting that day in my life.
Heading back home from the hospital, despite the hospitalisation of my sibling, I was thinking about this one small attitude adjustment; a victory! I did not become flustered and arrogant. I thought about a passage in the Bible in 1 Samuel 14, where King Saul and his men were battling the Philistines. The king’s son, Jonathan, and his armor-bearer left 600 soldiers relaxing under a pomegranate tree and went up to face their enemies alone. The duo killed about twenty men in an area roughly the size of half of an acre. Then God threw the Philistines into confusion, and they started killing each other in the ensuing melee.
It was a small victory, but a victory, nonetheless. Rather than celebrate the win, King Saul made a decree that the men couldn’t eat until they achieved total victory or until all the enemies were destroyed. Jonathan however, did not hear of the oath about the moratorium on food. And as the army walked through the woods, he dipped his staff in a honeycomb and had a sweet treat. Jonathan’s father, King Saul, was furious. He almost killed Jonathan and risked losing the war.
Too many of us are waiting until we have total victory in our lives before we celebrate. We wait for perfection, which will never come. We beat ourselves up for our mistakes. All the while we miss dipping into the honeycomb of the celebration God provides.
You’ll never have total victory in everything in life, but for sure you will have some. Don’t miss them! See them! Celebrate them!
Celebrate the times when you don’t fall apart because your schedule does. Praise God!
Celebrate the times when you don’t yell at your kids. Hallelujah!
Celebrate the times when you didn’t respond to the rude sales clerk. The Lord is good!
Celebrate the times you were at a health care facility, and no one seemed to care but you remained calm. Glory be to God!
Celebrate the times you were stuck in traffic and didn’t say a curse word. Well, high praise to God for that!
PRAYER:
Lord, I’m so glad You’re still working on me — thank you for not giving up on me even when I want to give up on myself. Help me see my growth, not just the times I stumble and fall short. This I pray in Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Read: 1 Samuel 14, Phillipians 1:6
Bible Reading Guide: Psalm 22:12-21; Mark 1:29-45; Mark 2:1-17; Exodus 19; Exodus 20
