Tag: Chuck Swindoll

God of every detail.

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Read Numbers 27:12–23; Deuteronomy 34:9

I am always amazed to hear how the Lord uses His Word in the lives of His people. I don’t know your circumstances. I don’t know how God intends to use this episode from the life of Moses in your own life.

It may be that these words fall on a very hungry heart. Or perhaps you have been strengthened and encouraged with the thought that you’re very special to God, that none of His children are insignificant. Or maybe you’re engaged in the awesome task of finding a man or a woman for a position that carries a great weight of responsibility, and you’ve been reminded that you are dependent, more than ever, on God to locate His Joshua. Or perhaps you are that Joshua, and you’ve been asked to accept a responsibility broader than you ever dreamed.

Whatever your circumstances, I want to remind you that our heavenly Father cares about areas of your life that would seem insignificant to a distant deity. He’s never too busy to hear your hurts, to wipe away your tears, to whisper words of encouragement, and to put His big shoulder under your load. He’s the God who cares about the details.

As I write these words, I’m praying that our sovereign God might be a very personal comfort to you this week. I pray especially for you who are wrestling with loneliness and discouragement. Even though you’re surrounded by people, deep within there’s an ache. Friend, God can meet your need as only He can, even as He did in the heart of Moses just a few hours before the great man’s death.

If you’re God’s Joshua, you don’t need to worry that you’ll be forgotten. You don’t need to worry that the shadow of your predecessor will eclipse you and your ministry in the years to come. In fact, you don’t need to worry about anything. If you’re God’s Joshua, you’re right where you ought to be. Remind yourself that He is sovereign. He has everything under His control. He will have His way in His time, for His glory, which includes your life, your position, and your future. Worrying over any of that is a waste. He’s got every detail covered—every one.

Think of it this way: there’s no such thing as God’s being almost sovereign.

by Charles R. Swindoll

You Are His Concern.

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Wow… I am continually humbled by a Father who knows where to meet me where I am. Sunday morning devotional that was exactly what I needed. I hope it blesses you as much as it did me.

Isn’t God gracious? We have a Lord who knows our hearts, knows our thoughts, and knows our fears. When Moses had left Egypt forty years before there were those who sought his life, he was probably featured at the top of the Egyptian version of The Ten Most Wanted list.

Naturally, Moses had not forgotten. He was a family man now, headin’ west with the wife and kids, and that potential danger must have been weighing on his mind. It was part of the reason he had been reluctant to go in the first place. But when he finally made the decision to embrace God’s will, he determined to make the journey in spite of those concerns. He told the Lord, in effect, “Lord, I’m going to trust You with all my heart. I’m not going to lean on my own understanding. In all my ways I’m going to recognize You and let You take care of the obstacles.”

So he set his face toward Egypt and began putting one foot in front of another, in obedience to God. Before he stepped outside the borders of Midian, however, the Lord did something for His servant. He said to him, “Oh, by the way, Moses, you remember all those who sought your life in Egypt? Don’t be anxious about them. They’re all dead. They can’t hurt you now.”

What a sight that little family must have been as they headed down the desert road. His wife, Zipporah, was on the donkey, the two kids were cavorting on ahead, and a few of the family’s belongings were probably tied on the donkey’s back. They were on their way, leaving a steady job, family, security, and the familiarity of their surroundings. Midian wasn’t much, but it had been their home for forty years. And now they were on their way to Egypt—on their way to the Exodus. What faith!

Have you stepped out on faith like that recently? Have you made a move, followed the nudging of God, into realms you wouldn’t have even dreamed of five years ago? He will honor your faith as you trust Him in that kind of walk. Those who remain in the false security of Midian never get to experience what Moses experienced on that winding highway to Egypt—the sense of moving in the strong current of God’s will and plan. Press on!

by Charles R. Swindoll

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Heavenly Father, oh how You know my heart, and You know my fears, God.  Thank you for this reminder this morning.  Thank you for reminding me that my fears aren’t going unnoticed.  God, I trust You, help me continue to live each day in accordance with Your will, and help me step out in faith and head towards the Egypt in my life, God.  I pray for strength and faith like Moses.  I will keep pressing on, Heavenly Father.  Hold my hand, guide me.  Thank You for who You are, and who You promise You will continue to be. I love you, and thank You for loving me.

Through it all.

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I need to let go, and let God. I am continued to be humbled and put in a very vulnerable place.  I know that I will not make it through these next two weeks, if I do not come to the point of surrender.

I struggle with trying to control every detail of my life, and just when I think I can, Christ brings me to my knees and reminds me that His strength is so much greater than mine.  It surprises me that I continue to have this battle of control even though He has proven Himself more than worthy of guiding my life. What am I waiting for? Let go, and let God.  Come on Lydia, let go, and let God.

Read this devotional that met me where I am this morning:

Read Exodus 2:16–25

You’d better believe that Moses, though tucked away in a corner of that wasteland, heard the latest news from the travelers in caravans making their way up from Egypt through the Midian desert. When Moses learned the Hebrews were crying out, his heart must have turned over within him. But unlike before, he rested and relied upon God. He didn’t try to organize a rescue party. He didn’t slip back into Egypt as an assassin or saboteur. Not him! He’d learned that lesson.

Do you know who it is who keeps erecting all those unrealistic standards in your life? Do you know who keeps raising the bar beyond all hope of clearing it?

It’s you. You do. And so do I. Our Heavenly Father doesn’t. The psalmist tells us, “He knows our frame. He remembers that we are dust.” We think we’re finished because of our failures, but God says, “No, you’re just getting started. Press on!”

Our problem isn’t that we’ve failed. Our problem is that we haven’t failed enough. We haven’t been brought low enough to learn what God wants us to learn. We’re still trying to redeem Egypt single-handedly.

So what are you trying to prove? Who are you trying to impress? Why don’t you step off that treadmill and just be yourself? Plead with the Spirit of God to prepare you, then use you, however He pleases, dark side and all. You’ll be amazed how that takes the pressure off.

This very moment, you and I are the recipients of a gift from One who loves us just the way we are: warts, cracks, failures, and all. Since it is a gift, you might as well open your hands and receive it. Look, there—that’s your name on the tag, just underneath the ribbon.

The gift is called grace.

By: Chuck Swindoll