Daily Devotional for February 28, 2015

Job 22:21
“Quit quarreling with God! Agree with him and you will have peace at last! His favor will surround you if you will only admit that you were wrong.

The Living Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
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Greg and I watched a video this morning that someone shared on Facebook.  It was of a cockatoo named Maxwell whose owner told him that he had to go to the vet and get his nails clipped.  You can hear the owner telling Maxwell to get into his carrier…and then the rant starts.  Not only does the bird argue with his owner, but he swears at him.  I made out a couple of “four-letter phrases”…but mostly, we laughed at the tone the bird used as he muttered “under his breath”…and then as he squawked his protests.  Obviously, he mimicked his owners and behaviors and language that he has observed in the home – and it wasn’t pretty!

Too often, we are Maxwell the bird.  The protests and ugly things we say are not from God – but rather what we have observed in the world at large.  We have learned very well how to throw a little fit…and we are all good at giving God our best tantrum on occasion. 

  • “WHY are You punishing me?” 
  • “Where ARE You? – WHERE did You go?”
  • “When will it be MY turn?”
  • “How much longer do I have to suffer?”
  • “What’s in this for ME?”
  • “Do I HAVE to do this?”
Maxwell’s owner was calm.  He firmly told the bird to “get your butt in the cage,” and to stop using such ugly language. I don’ t know what he did after the camera stopped rolling…but on camera, he never forced Maxwell – or even really approached him with the intention to load him into his carrier.  And God will not force Himself on us either.  We have to “quit our bellyaching” and surrender to Him…and He will surround us with His favor – and His peace.

Aren’t you ready to “let go and let God”?  Aren’t you ready to agree with Him…to fully trust His plans and His timing…and to bask in His presence and provisions?  Wouldn’t today be the perfect time to begin? 


©2015 Debbie Robus

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