Devotional Day 2

Scripture

Psalm 147:10-11

His delight is not in the strength of the horse,
    nor his pleasure in the legs of a man,
 but the Lord takes pleasure in those who fear him,
    in those who hope in his steadfast love.

Devotional

In today’s passage we get a wonderful insight into what pleases God when it comes to his people. God isn’t impressed with our intelligence, or when we attempt to do things in our own strength or might, and he is definitely not delighted when we try to fix our problems without him. Yet how often do we fall into the trap of thinking that God is only impressed in our achievements or good behaviour! And yet, this passage tells us that God doesn’t delight in our strength. So what does please God? Two things from this passage, fearing God and hoping in his love. The people of God, those who know him, do not trust in our own strength or ability, rather we trust in God’s unconditional love and the strength that he gives to us. This can be a bit of an adjustment, especially for those who have lived being very self-sufficient, and fixing all their problems themselves. What God is actually looking for is not people who have it all together, or do everything perfectly, no, to please God, and to receive his help, we must have hope! What does this look like? Another passage of scripture gives us a clue,“Without faith it is impossible to please God” (Hebrews 11:6). What pleases God is our childlike humility, our admission that we need the help of our heavenly Father and that he is powerful and able to help us in any and every situation, this is faith! Similarly Psalm 20:7 says "Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God." Today, take encouragement that God does not need you to be strong, just humble. You don't need to have it all together, and you definitely don't need to muscle your way through it today. Bring your needs to God today and ask him in humility to help you to resist temptation, because you need his help, and love! This will please the Lord.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, I thank you that you have promised to be my help and strength when I need you. I come to you today with humility, admitting that I need you to help me overcome today. I ask that you would help me to overcome temptation and to comfort me and help me deal with stress or any difficult circumstances that come my way today. 

Continue to spend time thanking God for his grace and mercy, and to bring before him anything else that is on your heart.