We may have secret longings too deep to utter to others—perhaps a desire for marriage, or a work or ministry we’d like to perform, or a special place to serve. We must put each desire in God’s hands and pray, “Lord, You must choose for me. I will not choose for myself.”

Genesis 13:10-11 tells us that Lot made his own choice about a desire he had. He “lifted his eyes and saw all the plain of Jordan, that it was well watered everywhere . . . like the garden of the Lord . . . . Then Lot chose for himself all the plain of Jordan.”

The plain of Jordan, with its rich soil and copious water supply, looked best to Lot. But the land was polluted with wickedness (v.13). Pastor Ray Stedman wrote that “Lot, presuming to run his own life, ‘chose for himself,’ and, deceived by what he saw, stumbled blindly into heartache and judgment. Abram, on the other hand, was content to let God choose for him. . . . Abram saw it in its true light.” Lot chose for himself and lost everything—his family, his fortune, his favor with man.

It is always the best course for us to let God choose and to follow His direction, knowing as we do that all our heavenly Father’s choices are prompted by infinite wisdom and love.  — David H. Roper

                                              

                                                                                   Long ago I made my life’s decision
                                                                    To serve the Lord and have Him choose my way;
                                                                         And when I’ve felt uncertain at a crossroad,
                                                                     He’s never failed to lead me day by day. —Hess

                                                                             “Do this in remembrance of Me.”
                                                                            Luke 22:19


My wife babysits for our young granddaughter Eliana during the school year while her mom teaches. We do many things to make her feel at home. For example, we put pictures of her and her parents on our refrigerator at “Eliana level.: That way she can see them or carry them around with her during the day. We want her to think of her mom and dad often throughout the day.

Why do this? Is there a chance she would forget them? Of course not. But it is comforting for her to have  an ongoing remembrance of them.

Now think about this. Before Jesus was crucified, He created a remembrance of Himself. He told His disciples--- and us by extension--- to “do this [eat the bread and drink from the cup]in remembrance of Me” (Luke 22:19). Is this because we might forget Jesus? Of course not! How could we forget the One who died for our sins? Yet He  started this way of remembrance--- the Lord’s supper---as a comforting reminder of His great sacrifice. His presence, His power, and His promises.

Just as Eliana’s photo remind her of her parent’s love, so the celebration of communion provides a valuable reminder of the One who will come again to take us home.

 

 

                                                                          But drops of grief can never repay
                                                                    The debt of love I owe;
                                                          Here, Lord, I give myself away ---
                                                              ‘Tis all that I can do. –Watts

                                                             “The righteous will be in everlasting remembrance.”
                                                                                                       Psalms 112:6

 

One reason we’re left here on earth and not taken to heaven immediately after trusting in Christ for salvation is that God has work for us to do. “Man is immortal,” Augustine said, “until his work is done.”

The time of our death is not determined by anyone or anything here on earth. That decision is made in the councils of heaven. When we have done all that God has in mind for us to do, then and only then will He take us home---and not one second before. As Paul put it, “David, after he had served his own generation by the will of God, fell asleep” (Acts 13:36).

In the meantime, until God takes us home, there’s plenty to do. “I must work the works of Him who sent Me while it is day,” Jesus said. “Night is coming when no one can work” (John 3:4). Night is coming when we will once for all close our eyes on this world, or our  Lord will return to take us to be with Him. Each day brings that time a little closer.

As long as we have the light of day, we must work---not to conquer, acquire, accumulate, and retire, but to make visible the invisible Christ by touching people with His love. We can then be confident that our “labor is not in vain in the Lord” (1 Cor. 15:58). –David Roper

 

 

 

                                                                               If you rely upon God’s strength
                                                                                     And live a life that’s true,
                                                                             Then what you do in Jesus’ name
                                                                  Will be His work through you. – D. De Haan