Basic Training
Theme of the Week: Take Him at His Word
Daniel Owens
Friday, March 14, 2003
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Key Bible Verse: "For I know the plans I have for you," says the Lord. "They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope" (Jeremiah 29:11). Bonus Reading:Psalm 32:8-9
When Glenn first arrived at San Diego for basic training, he couldn't figure out why the drill instructor was so petty about little things. In the mess tent, for instance, everyone had to hold his food tray a certain way while waiting in line—flat against his chest, left hand holding the top left corner, right hand holding the bottom right corner. What was the big deal? Why get yelled at and ordered to do push-ups for not holding the tray correctly?
But when Glenn was issued his M-16, he understood. Shown how to hold the rifle while running or marching, Glenn was amazed that his hands were in the food-tray position. His hands had been trained three times a day to hold that rifle correctly.
We often don't understand why God does what He does in our lives. Then we have to remember that He is at work, and, as in the military, everything has a purpose. Nothing is by chance or accident. To use an imperfect analogy, God is our drill instructor, taking us through basic training so we can "be all that we can be" in Christ Jesus. God disciplines us for a reason!
—Daniel Owens in In God We Trust but Only as a Last Resort
My Response: Something God did in my life that I didn't understand at the time was …
Thought to Apply: Trust God for the unexpected, and let him surprise you by doing the unexplainable.
—source unknown
Adapted from In God We Trust but Only as a Last Resort (Crossway, 2000) by permission.
Copyright © 2003 by the author or Christianity Today International/Men of Integrity magazine.
Click here for reprint information on Men of Integrity.
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Heavenly Father, losing control is scary. Teach me to trust the tests and unknowns in my life to You.
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