Title: Let Go and Let God / Topic: Protection

Today’s Reading: Daniel 3; Daniel 4; Psalm 81; Revelation 17

Scripture: Psalm 81:11-14
11 "But my people would not listen to me; Israel would not submit to me.
12 So I gave them over to their stubborn hearts to follow their own devices.
13 "If my people would but listen to me, if Israel would follow my ways,
14 how quickly would I subdue their enemies and turn my hand against their foes!

Observation: The message of these verses is so simple but important. If we are stubborn and refuse to submit to God's ways, he will let us do things our way, BUT, the cost of that is that we have to provide for and protect ourselves. We remove ourselves from God's protection (and provision as mentioned in verses before and after these). We create more work and problems for ourselves by not submitting to and following God. Notice God is speaking about His own people here, not people of a different faith.

Application: It's possible for Christians who go to church and give verbal and mental assent to the Lordship of Jesus to behave in ways that indicate they are their own masters and unsubmissive to God. They can expect that they will receive no particular protection from Him. I don't want to be in that place. I want to let go of self-determination and follow God. Then He is responsible for my protection and provision.

Prayer: Father, I'm wise enough to know that you can do a better job protecting and providing for me that I can for myself. Making my own decisions outside of your counsel isn't worth the price I would be paying for the privilege. I want to serve you and have you as my master. Help me to be a wise, obedient servant.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.