Prayer and Proverbs - Day 23 of 31

Read Proverbs 23.

“My son, give me your heart, and let your eyes observe my ways.” (Proverbs 23:26 ESV)

Last week I saw Ridley Scott's Exodus: Gods and Kings (SPOILER ALERTS). Biblical inaccuracies aside, one message that Ridley did communicate well in his movie was that salvation is God's business. Only God saves. It was 100% God's work in delivering His people from Egypt. God did as He said He would, “So I will stretch out my hand and strike the Egyptians with all the wonders that I will perform among them. After that, he [pharoh] will let you go.” (Exodus 4:20 NIV)

As Moses' return to Egypt is depicted in the movie, Moses attempted to assemble and train the Israelites to fight against Egypt for their salvation. That didn't go too well. Matters got even worse. Then God stepped in and said something like, “Now watch me.” And so went God's hand stretched out to save.

We all face trials and turmoil in life. What does God call us to do during these times? To trust Him. To give Him our hearts. We are encouraged by Paul's words to the Romans (8:31b-32, 34-39 ESV):

“If God is for us, who can ever be against us? Since he did not spare even his own Son but gave him up for us all, won’t he also give us everything else? Who then will condemn us? No one—for Christ Jesus died for us and was raised to life for us, and he is sitting in the place of honor at God’s right hand, pleading for us. Can anything ever separate us from Christ’s love? Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death? (As the Scriptures say, 'For your sake we are killed every day; we are being slaughtered like sheep.' No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us. And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

In what ways is God calling you to give Him your heart? 

As you wait for God to deliver you from your particular trial, 

He may ask you to be patient. 

He may ask you to hold fast to your faith. 

He may ask you to continue actively loving others (even those who are not actively loving you). 

Pray for these things.

And in the end, observe His ways. Watch Him do His saving work. Be reminded that ultimately God's saving work, with its eternal rewards, has already been completed by Jesus on the cross.