Devotion's By Deborah

Devotion 1-2-24, Isaiah 57:16 - "For I will not contend forever,..." Contend means fight. Those in a boxing match are "contenders." God may, and will, fight against you at times. Why? Does He not love you? Why would He fight against you? He will exactly because of that love. He not only loves you, supremely; He knows ultimately what is best for you. He knows and often you do not know. We tend to feel like we are sure we know what we are doing and why. We are certain that we have made good choices. But, you may be off in your thinking and planning. You may be off-kilter and only God, fighting against you, will persuade you to change. In this case, are you going to be stubborn or pliable? Since God knows everything, and you do not, it is wise to let Him have His way. You really do not want to fight with God and He really does not want to fight with you. Trust Him. He always knows what is best, even when you can not see it. Trust God instead of arguing with Him! He will not let go until you are in a right place and in right-thinking, because He loves you and desires the best for you. Listen, trust, obey, and end the fight! Isaiah 26:3 - 4 - "The steadfast of mind You will keep in perfect peace, Because he trusts in You. Trust in the Lord forever, For in God the Lord, we have an everlasting Rock."