THANKFUL

Chatting with Jesus
Friday, April 4, 2025

Lord, Scripture suggests that the psalmist, in his time, would be seen as a “mover and shaker” today. His “get ‘er done” approach to life’s challenges certainly made things happen. While human nature might view the psalmist’s attitude as commendable, his impatience often led him to act before your timing. Since the psalmist wrote extensively about the significance of patience, you must have tested his patience time and again. Perhaps this testing inspired him to write:

“Be still in the presence of the Lord and wait patiently for him to act” (Psalm 37:7 NLT).

The psalmist understood how we can become restless while waiting for you to move. When you don’t respond as we expect, we might ask, “Lord, what are you waiting for? Why haven’t you acted by now?” To our natural selves, these questions seem reasonable and legitimate.

The second part of that statement offers the answer: By waiting—patiently waiting—you are testing our faith. For many believers, being still and leaving the outcome in your hands is a challenging command to follow. This is especially true for those we refer to as “wheeler-dealers” or “movers and shakers.” When control is taken out of their hands, this command tests their inclination to take charge. Will they release control, or will they not? Is this why Paul wrote to his friends in Galatia:

“Those who live only to satisfy their sinful nature will harvest decay and death from that sinful nature. But those who live to please the Spirit will harvest everlasting life from the Spirit” (Galatians 6:8).

Jesus, help us to release control of our lives to you, so we may live in a way that pleases and honors you. Amen