A Year of Prayer: Season One Weekday DevotionalsSample

Have you ever helped a child complete a puzzle or a project - and your input has been absolutely massive (and theirs minimal) - only for them to proudly proclaim, ‘Look what I did!’? We can more than easily ignore any slight feelings, as we did this with and for the child for their own growth and enjoyment. This wasn’t about us, our skill, our prowess. It’s unlikely the adult - if they’re mature - will interject loudly about their contribution. We let them have their time in the sun.

One day, as they grow in maturity and security, they'll do the same for others and see what part their contributions play in shaping the world at large. What a blessing to watch them grow.

But it’s quite different when you can imagine the same scenario with adults. Imagine a team or peer group is assigned a task, and we have put in more than our fair share. Perhaps there is someone who has refused to pull their weight? Maybe a self-appointed leader who takes all the credit when none is due? Maybe you quietly seethe as an idea is put forward as someone else’s when it was your own. Our relationship and reliance on those around us matter in the sharing of dues or credit.

In today’s scripture, the Psalmist ascribes right due to God. We can rest, the scripture says, because God has been good to us. How? Because God has delivered us from death, eyes from tears, and feet from stumbling.

There is no childish taking of credit for God's acts. There is no stealing of glory as we imagine we have done our part, and God only put in so much. There is a complete reliance on God to deliver us from all threats, obstacles, and opposition.

Where do you sit with this today? Is it the child-like faith in God’s provision? Or are you wrestling with a childish need to take all the credit without seeing God’s part? Is it an ease to recognise that God came through on the group project - and your offering was simply to be rescued or respond in kind?

Or do you need to step back from/repent of the desire to claim the deliverance was all your doing and all God’s fault? God loves you, longs for you, and wants to help you return to rest. Why? So you may walk before God in the land of the fully alive and fully living.

Prayer: God, help me to stay in step with your spirit and in the light of your gospel. Help me to serve every conversation with a dish of humility; let me be a peacemaker filled with hope for a better life of stillness and peace because of your love.

Action: Pray and discern: What areas do you most need to ‘rest' in today?