Tuesday, September 16, 2008

Going to God First

Daniel 6:10:11, Philippians 4:6-7

Most of us know the story of Daniel and the Lions Den. (In case you need a little refresher on it, click here.) The decree was issued that no one was to pray to anyone but the king for the next 30 days. This decree was meant especially for Daniel because the men wanting Daniel out of the way but, could not find any fault in him. They knew they had no charges to bring against him unless it had to do with his God. So they tricked the king and went in for the kill.

What is amazing to me about these verses is that Daniel was in good with the king. He could have gone to him and argued the decree that was just issued. He could have talked to him about it, but first he went home and turned to his Source of peace and comfort for all the years he had been in exile. Oh, that someone would find me praying over an issue before discussing it with someone else!

Unfortunately, sometimes we tend to talk to everyone except God about an issue in our lives. Sometimes He might even be our last resort! Philippians 4:6-7 has been one of my favorite passages since high school. However, it really became alive to me a few years ago when I was doing a Beth Moore Bible study. She asked us to turn the verses into the negative and read them aloud to our class. Mine went something like this...

Be anxious about anything and everything. Do not pray about anything or petition God, but do talk to all of your friends and anyone else who will listen. Do not give thanks for anything and do not present your requests to God. This way you will have no peace, just more anxiety and your hearts and minds will not be guarded in Christ Jesus.

Sounds pretty terrible doesn't it? But how many times have I done just that? Too many. May we today make a commitment to seek God first in our problems and situations and in just the everyday decisions of life.

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