Christianity Oasis Forum

[cimi]

August 15
Thursday



THE JOY OF
DISAPPOINTMENT

READ:
Proverbs 3:1-12
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Trust in the LORD with
all your heart, and
lean not on your own
understanding.
__Proverbs 3:5
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While in Bible college, I auditioned for one of the school's traveling musical teams. I was excited about the thought of being able to be involved in that ministry, but was crushed when I failed to make the team. In my disappointment, I could only trust that God's purposes were greater than mine.

Months later, I had the opportunity to join a different musical team, but as the Bible teacher. The results were more than I could have imagined. Not only was my future wife a part of that team, allowing us to serve Christ together, but it also gave me many opportunities to preach over the next 3 years__priceless preparation for a life of ministry in the Word.

Many times we struggle with the reality that our Father knows what is best. We assume our way is right. But, as we rest in Him, His purposes always prove to be for our good and His praise. To be honest, that's easy to see when the outcome is better than we had hoped, but difficult when we can't see the good right now or maybe won't till heaven.

As wise King Solomon said, "Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths" (Prov. 3:5-6). __Bill Crowder

`````````````````Guide me, O Thou great Jehovah,```````````````````
`````````````````Pilgrim through this barren land.````````````````````
````````````````I am weak, but Thou are mighty;````````````````````
```````````Hold me with Thy powerful hand. __Williams```````````````
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God's purpose for today's events
may not be seen until tomorrow.

********************Today's Bible Reading __ Proverbs 3:1-12*************************

1 my son, do not forget
my law, but let your heart
keep my commands; 2 for
length of days and long life
and peace they will add to
you.

3 Let not mercy and truth
forsake you; bind them
around your neck, write
them on the tablet of your
heart, 4 and so find favor
and high esteem in the
sight of God and man.

5 Trust in the LORD with
all your heart, and lean not
on your own understanding;

6 in all your ways
acknowledge Him, and He
shall direct your paths.

7 Do not be wise in your
own eyes; fear the LORD
and depart from evil. 8 It
will be health to your flesh,
and strength to your bones.

9 Honor the LORD with
your possessions, and with
the firstfruits of all your
increase; 10 so your barns
will be filled with pleanty,
and your vats will overflow
with new wine.

11 My son, do not despise
the chastening of the LORD,
nor detest His correction;

12 for whom the LORD loves
he corrects, just as a father
the son in whom he
delights.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>INSIGHT<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<

Today's reading highlights the various benefits of applying the Word
of God to our hearts: bringing length of days and peace (vv.1-
2); finding favor with God and others (vv.3-4); rewarding faith
with divine direction (vv.5-6); cultivating humility and holiness to
bring good health (vv.7-8); encouraging good stewardship, which
leads to plenty (vv.9-10); and chastening as an evidence of divine
love (vv. 11-12). It would be a mistake to make any one of these
principles an absolute. For example, the expectation of plenty must
always be accompanied by the recognition that there may be lean
times as well.