Scripture Read: Romans 15:22-29 For this reason I have often been prevented from coming to you; 23 but now, with no further place for me in these regions, and since I have had for many years a longing to come to you 24 whenever I go to Spain—for I hope to see you in passing, and to be helped on my way there by you, when I have first enjoyed your company for a while— 25 but now, I am going to Jerusalem serving the saints. 26 For Macedonia and Achaia have been pleased to make a contribution for the poor among the saints in Jerusalem. 27 Yes, they were pleased to do so, and they are indebted to them. For if the Gentiles have shared in their spiritual things, they are indebted to minister to them also in material things. 28 Therefore, when I have finished this, and have put my seal on this fruit of theirs, I will go on by way of you to Spain. 29 I know that when I come to you, I will come in the fullness of the blessing of Christ.
Application: This needs to be a reminder to all of us that not every desire we have will be given to us by You or at least in the way we thought. Paul desired to go to Rome – but on his way to Spain. Instead God did bring Him to Rome – but the way God chose to best use Paul and glorify Himself was to do it as a prisoner. Paul never got to Spain. There are two strong emotions as we think on this Lord. One we like, the other most of us struggle with. We like that we can trust that when we give You our desires we know that You are aware and concerned. We know this because we have experienced Your love toward us in the sacrifice of Your Son. The other emotion we feel is difficult because it is in the opposite direction. When I write that You decided it would be better to USE Paul – Dad this bothers us and I think it is because our flesh resists Your Godhood. When we say you use us to glorify Yourself – many times inside we feel disdain because it sounds so egotistic. Intellectually, I know it is not egotistical because You are GOD – You have a right to do whatever You Desire – to be egotistical is based on the fact that a person needs that for themselves. That is not the case when it comes to You. You are not a glorified human, but many times, perhaps not intending to do so, we look at You that way. Yet, if we are honest, we know it cannot be You because You are perfect within Yourself and need nothing more. You don’t need obedience, adoration or worship. You don’t even NEED to use us. Whatever You want done You could make happen with just a thought. You have chosen to give us the privilege to be involved in God’s business; You have allowed us to enjoy You through worship and adoration. You have hoped that we will escape the outcome of sin by obedience. Father help us continue to think on this right now. We need to understand what it really means to glorify You and how that works – we know our feelings are not counted against us but we do not like thinking in a way that would bring You down to our level. You are Lord and God. You also love us. Thanks for that!
* Meditation Questions: Do you sometimes have feelings that make God seem unfair or egotistical? What do you do about them? When we compare ourselves to an ant is that like comparing God to us? When we hear people say “what right does God have?” how do we feel about that? Is there a difference in questioning God and doubting Him?
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