40-Day Devotion, Day 13

PREPARATION: Read Amos 3:3

God, Have My Feet

Cheerwine was a beautiful Golden Retriever who loved to please. Several times a week I would grab the leash and we would be off on our two mile walk together. It was always a joy. If I stopped to speak with a neighbor, she would come to my side and sit patiently until the chat ended. Cheerwine was always compliant and I loved spending this special time with her.
But then came Rusty, our Labrador! With Cheerwine, a two mile walk was always refreshing, but just getting Rusty to the end of the driveway was a challenge. Oh, Rusty certainly was energetic and loving, longing to please. But he often found himself distracted on our walks. He would spy another dog or an occasional squirrel and—zoom— before I knew it, he would yank the leash from my hand and off to the races! There was no catching him. Thankfully sometime later he would show up at our door, dragging his leash, tail a-wagging with a “what’s up?” look in his eyes. That dog was NOT easy to walk with!
In the book of Amos, the prophet assembled God’s chosen people to deliver an ominous message from the Lord. It’s a most dramatic moment. Amos began by reciting one-by-one the names of the nations that surrounded Israel. These nations over the years had been a thorn in their side, so you can imagine the roars of approval raised when Amos reminded Israel of the judgments God had brought on their pagan enemies. It was a celebration of God’s providence, protection and justice!
Picture the scene: the thunder of joy-filled voices rising higher and higher as each o ending nation is named. Approvingly, the people shout: “Serves them right! You sure gave them what they deserved, God! That’s what comes to those who defy the one true living God and His people.” It’s a festive moment as the people celebrate God’s judgment.
The crescendo of praise keeps growing and growing and growing until Amos unexpectedly turns the tables. Suddenly, the place grows dead silent because God’s finger of condemnation is now pointing in their direction. Amos spoke their nation’s name, Israel, and he laid out God’s case: how they, too, had sinned by choosing to follow their own ways rather than walk with the Lord. Worse yet Amos informed them that God’s patience had run out. In one final attempt, he called them to repent and return to the Lord, asking: “Can two walk together unless they have agreed to do so?” (Amos 3:3).
Now, let’s transfer that to us. Christians today should see our own reflection in that story. We choose each day whether we will walk with God in His ways or walk alone on our own. For most of us, our spiritual walk resembles a stroll with either Cheerwine or Rusty.
Cheerwine Christians love the Lord above all else. Nothing pleases them more than spending time in His service. They use their gifts and talents, ministering to others and working to meet the needs of His Church. They exemplify Ephesians 2:10: “...for we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.” Of course, with such zeal to serve, there is a danger for the Cheerwine Christian—that of trusting in our own strength. This can lead to burnout and result in over-commitment. The Cheerwine Christian must seek the Lord first, daily, for strength, direction from His Spirit, and sustenance for the day. Apart from this fellowship, he is sure to tire and will fail to persevere.
Proverbs 3:5-6 says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight.”
Sad to say, many in our body qualify as Rusty Christians. You love theLord and desire to please Him, but often find yourself distracted by life’s daily demands. Like Rusty, your eyes constantly wander to the left and right and, if you’re not careful, before you know it you are o chasing the fulfillment of your desires and will, not your Master’s.
If this describes you, I suggest that your problem is not a lack of desire but a lack of focus. Your Godly desire can be fulfilled if you make it your daily goal to walk submissively with your Savior. Through daily prayer and the study of God’s Word, you can intentionally re-tool your mind and heart so that your focus is on God alone. Your life can become the fulfillment of Psalm 42:1: “As the deer pants for the water, so my soul longs after thee, O God.”
As Rusty and I practiced our daily walk together, he became much more like Cheerwine. In time he learned to enjoy our little strolls. He always had that instinctive desire to stray, but he learned to subjugate that desire and surrender it to his master and so Rusty became a source of great joy to me. Our loving Savior does not view us just as we are right now, but as we can become through a daily walk with Him. He forgives and restores. He’s always eager for you to get in step (To continue reading, go to my comment below.)