Making decisions . . .

For several days I’ve wondered if a desire in my heart was a temptation — or an opportunity. That verse answers my question. The thing I want to do is not sinful nor are any of the reasons I want to do it. I just don’t know if God is in it or will use it. This morning I remembered that is the same question that comes up over many actions that God commands — and I am supposed to go ahead, trusting Him for the outcome.

 
Years ago, we lived in California and were members of Grace Community church. I still remember several sermons preached by John MacArthur. One of them was about knowing the will of God. He went through several passages that state “the will of God is . . .” and ended the sermon with Psalm 37:4, “Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart” explaining that if the Lord is the delight of your heart, then whatever you desire will be from Him, so you can do whatever you want.

Today’s devotional reading takes me to where James says we are not saved by our actions, but our actions show that we are trusting God.

Do you want to be shown, you foolish person, that faith apart from works is useless? Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up his son Isaac on the altar? You see that faith was active along with his works, and faith was completed by his works; and the Scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness”—and he was called a friend of God. You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone. (James 2:20–24)

Some Christians have trouble with James. They think he is contradicting the rest of the New Testament that clearly say we are not saved by what we do but by faith. However, James agrees. He is just saying that if I claim to trust God, then my life will show it by what I do.

That is, the works of my life will give evidence that my faith is in Him and not in myself. This relates to the puzzle of the past few days. I want to do something but am not sure if it is the will of God. The doing is not wrong. I’ve just wondered where my desire to do is coming from. Is it so strong because I have a deep selfish reason? Or is God giving it to me?

With lots of prayer, I cannot discern any selfish reason and have concluded that taking this action would be a step of faith. I cannot think of any other reason except that I delight in the Lord and this strong desire is in my heart because He put it there. Nothing else fits.

^^^^^^^^^^^^

Lord Jesus, I’ll move ahead. It doesn’t make sense, but that fits with Abraham offering Isaac — that didn’t make sense either. You tell me that if my delight is in You (and it is) then the desires I have are from You. I’m going to trust You with this based on that promise. Amen.

Today’s thankful list . . .

• One of the most powerful sermons I’ve ever heard.

• The story from a man who was on dialysis for kidney failure and God healed him — his kidneys started working again and he is no longer on dialysis, almost unheard of in medical circles.

• A time a brunch for folks to share their stories of God’s healing power.

• A sound sleep after a long walk in the woods in perfect fall weather.

• Supper with my hubby.

• A wonderful day of praise and rest.