Father, let me learn from the example of King Nebuchadnezzar. Do not let me live proudly, exalting myself or taking credit for Your accomplishments and works. I fully acknowledge that You are the “Most High, sovereign over all the nations of the earth….Your kingdom is an eternal dominion; Your kingdom endures from generation to generation”! Father, I “praise and exalt and glorify the King of heaven, because everything You do is right and all Your ways are just.” And I only exist because of Your great mercy and love.
“Your divine power has given [me] everything [I] need for a godly life…” “You have given [me] Your very great and precious promises…”. Thank You Father, that I have all that I need. I have prayer as a way to hear from and talk to You. I have Your Word as a guidebook. In You I have the Holy Spirit who reveals spiritual truth to me. You have promised me Your eternal love, Your constant presence, and Your faithfulness in my protection and provision. All this because You are my personal Savior.
Since I belong to You, and You have given me all I need; help me to live in, and treat people with the qualities that will lead me to be an effective and productive servant of Yours. Peter tells me these qualities are: faith, goodness, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, kindness and love. Some of these are the Fruit of the Spirit and will grow in me as I am obedient to Your Spirit’s leading. Help me embrace opportunities for each of these qualities to grow in my life.
Recently I found myself walking with a group in the dark. I had a small flashlight which came in handy as the sidewalk was a broken and uneven surface. At first, I thought it would be best to shine the light way ahead of us so we could see where the path curved or stopped at a curb or was cut off by bushes. But it became clear that we could walk with the most certainty and speed when the light shone brightly on the very next step we were to take. Looking ahead is good to get a sense of direction, but we needed the close, step by step guidance to be sure our ankles did not turn or slip off the narrow path.
“Your Word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” Your Word, the Scriptures, are that light for me. When I am not sure which option is best, Your Word tells me “Trust in the Lord with all Your heart and lean not on Your own understanding.” When I feel frustrated with some results, You tell me “Do not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time [you]will reap a harvest…”. Or when I feel discouraged, alone and depressed, You tell me “I have carried you since your birth…I will continue to be with you and sustain you, even when you have gray hairs. I will always carry you; I will always sustain you; I will always rescue you.” [paraphrased to personalize]
Your Word helps me see that next step and take it. Thank You Father, that You care so much for me that even in the darkness of this world and its ‘wisdom’ You have made a way for me to stay on Your path and keep moving ahead safely. Amen
Daniel 4:1-37; II Peter 1:1-21; Psalm 119:105; Proverbs 3:5; Galatians 6:9; Isaiah 46:3-4
Daily Bible Prayer 