Thought for the day
It was the usual muddy day in the country. The first grade teacher, Miss Brown, had just finished putting the 36th boot on the 18th pair of little feet and was anxious to finish the last pair so she could go to lunch.
The last pair of boots was for little Johnny Smith, a quiet boy. Miss Brown had a very difficult time getting his boots on as they were a bit too small for his growing feet, but she finally won the battle.
To her dismay, little Johnny looked blandly up into her face and announced, "Teacher, these boots aren't mine." In a hurry, but wanting to be kind, Miss Brown groaned, but with grim gentleness removed the boots and straightened her aching back.
Whereupon Johnny continued, "They're my little brother's, but Mommy said I could wear them to school today."
I feel like little Johnny because I, too, can say, "These aren't my boots. These aren't my clothes. This isn't my house. This isn't my car." As a child of God, I recognize that everything in my possession belongs to Him, and He has merely allowed me to use them for a while."
For every beast of the forest is Mine, and the cattle on a thousand hills." (Psa. 50:10)
The word the Bible often uses to describe this relationship is the word "steward." In the first century, a steward was a servant who was left in charge of the household. Everything in the house was his to use, but he was also held responsible and had to give an account for what had been done with it.
It makes a tremendous difference in my perspective to realize that all I have belongs to God. He has merely given me these things to use for a while (and then I have to give an account). Listen to these words by William How which we often sing:
"We give Thee but Thine own,
Whate'er the gift may be:
All that we have is Thine alone,
A trust, O Lord, from Thee."
"But who am I, and who are my people, that we should be able to offer so willingly as this? For all things come from You, and of Your own we have given You." (I Chron. 29:14-15)
Verses
Hebrews 10:23
Do not let us waver in acknowledging the hope we cherish; we have a promise from one who is true to his word.
1 Peter 2:24
The burden of our sins He Himself carried in His own body to the Cross and bore it there, so that we, having died so far as our sins are concerned, may live righteous lives. By His wounds yours have been healed.
Romans 5:17
For if, by the trespass of the one man, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive God's abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ.
Jeremiah 29:12
Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you.
James 1:4
And let endurance do its work perfectly, so that you may be absolutely perfect and not deficient in any respect.
Prayer
Father, we recognize from Scripture that You long to be gracious to Your children, to show them compassion and give them direction. You bless those who wait upon You. Though you give us the bread of adversity and the water of affliction, you also give us teachers, prophets, and believing friends who affirm or challenge us as we seek Your face and Your will for our lives. As we hold up the lamp of Your Word to lighten the path before us, how good it is to hear Your voice behind us saying, “This is the way, walk in it.” You’ve promised that You will never leave us or forsake us. Darkness will not overtake us, for You are the Light of the World, and in You there is no darkness at all. Thank You for Your reassuring presence that You walk with us step by step on this day. Amen.
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