Resolution: September 25, 2013

TODAY’S WORD FOR WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 25, 2013.

RESOLUTION

DEFINITION:

A formal statement of intention and determination upon a course of action.

SCRIPTURE:

Commit your way to the Lord, trust in Him. Psalm 37:5

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:

It seems to us that people talk constantly about resolutions. We all desire to improve ourselves in whatever way we can. The most common resolution we seem to hear talked about is to lose weight. We all know how quickly that resolution is usually broken. The beginning of a New Year is always a time when many people make what is known as New Year’s resolutions. But unfortunately only a small percentage of these resolutions are ever fulfilled. It would seem that most resolutions are made to be broken.

An unknown author wrote, “A New Year’s resolution is something that goes in one year and out the next.” People do usually end up making the same resolutions year after year. The reason that most people make resolutions is to be able to improve how they appear to others.

There are two problems with resolutions. One is that most people do not realize that it is not the outward appearance that counts. “The Lord does not look at the things that man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”

The second problem with resolutions is that most people do not understand that resolutions cannot change us. Only God can change us. God not only looks at our heart, but He can change the desires of our heart.

As you think about setting some resolutions, to make changes in your life style both physically and spiritually, we challenge you to set a goal to seek a closer relationship with the Lord. As you draw near to God, He will draw near to you. (James 4:8) If you are reading God’s Word and spending time in prayer then He can work in you to change you. “For it is God who works in you both to will and to act according to His good purpose.” Philippians 2:13. 

The Psalmist tells us to “commit your way to the Lord and to trust in Him.” In order to commit our way to the Lord we must submit all that we have, our life, our family, our possessions, our career, all to God’s control and direction. God can do what we can’t do. We can trust Him to work out what is best for us.

LEARNING:

Our memory verse for this week is found in Psalm 27:5.

For in the day of trouble He will conceal me in His tabernacle; In the secret place of His tent He will hide me; he will lift me up on a rock.

PRAYER:

I want to commit to seeking a closer relationship with You by putting all that I have in Your hands. I want Your direction in my life and the life of each of my family. Help me to be faithful to pray and to study Your Word.