Musings Of A Believer

I write today with a heart full of thanks to God. My heart rejoices in the goodness of God who has been and still is, “my glory and the lifter up of mine head”. I have always known that God is great and mighty but as I get older, I find that God is even more great and mighty. Just when you think you know a whole lot about Him, you find there is much more to know. The knowledge of God keeps unfolding so that there is always something new to know about Him. I learn about Him from studying and He makes the knowledge more real by permitting experiences that test the knowledge and I am glad to let you know that He goes through every test with us ensuring that we are never alone and also, that we come through gloriously. Today, I am sharing some of my thoughts as I reflect on the past with a view to strengthening my resolve to go forward. I am sharing some of the things I always remind myself of, that my path may be straight. I am convinced that the seemingly little things matter the most in determining who we are and whether we end up failures or great. So here are some of my thoughts.

Proverbs 4: 13ampc “Take firm hold of instruction, do not let go; guard her, for she is your life.”

One of the realities of today’s world is that we resist instructions. We often only take in instructions when we are in deep trouble and need the instructions to get out. Even then, as soon as we are delivered, we revert to detesting instructions. Maybe all the new ideologies have something to do with it, we just all seem to know what to do; everyone is now in a way, his own god and so, doesn’t need any instructions/counsel, not even godly instruction/counsel? We resist instructions so much we don’t even listen or read long enough to hear/understand what we have to do; and even when we do, we don’t accept it. Sadly, even in the church, the flesh is so strong that accepting instructions is a major weight. This challenge with taking hold of instructions has made the fulfilment of certain promises difficult in some lives because they resist the instructions that precede the fulfillment of the promise. Yet the bible admonishes that we hold on to instructions because it is our life. Life’s instructions are laid out and no one is compelled to accept or reject them; God leaves that decision to us but He hopes we accept. Of course ungodly instructions (any instruction that contradicts the word of God) must be rejected but there are instructions we must accept inspite of the way we feel about them.

Hebrews 4: 12 “For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow.”

I have in the past few days, read articles where Nathaniel Bassey has spoken greatly of the way his life has been impacted by our relationship as a result of which people have prayed that God would give them such impactful relationships which is really great. What he left out and many have also missed, is the fact that he listens to and accepts godly counsel; he is obedient. I wonder if people would still desire such relationships if they also have to take hold of the same set of instruction he had to hold on to. It is one thing to have “that parent” but another to be “that child”; you also have to be “that child” for the instructions to be translated so powerfully. Taking hold of instructions is always easy when the instructions are for another; wait until you have to comply. Godly counsel is not the easiest to accept because The Word of God cuts, as the sword that it is, always seeking to destroy the flesh; however, it is necessary even if just for the purpose of discipline. God is well aware of our struggles with instructions so He encourages us to take hold of them because they are life. The truth of life is given as instructions and if we must succeed we have to accept and/or take hold of them.

Proverbs 4: 25 – 27 “Look straight ahead, and fix your eyes on what lies before you. Mark out a straight path for your feet; stay on the safe path. Don’t get sidetracked; keep your feet from following evil.”

We have to look straight as much as lies within us; and within us is all the strength we need to look straight. It is true that we as mere mortals are often distracted but we must do all we can to remain focused; our gaze has to be fixed and that starts with a decision. It takes a deliberateness to remain focused; it doesn’t just happen as we live. Distractions are a normal part of life, a reality allowed by God so that distractions would always be all around us. These seek to make us look anywhere but ahead so we must insist on looking forward if we must make a straight path for our feet, which is our responsibility. Never make excuses for yourself that absolve you of responsibility for your “zig zag path”; the responsibility is yours and no one else. You can resist the distractions. Even athletes who intend to win train to resist distractions. If you allow yourself to be instructed by every voice, you will not go forward in life.

Proverbs 4: 23 “Guard your life above all else, for it determines the course of your life.”

We protect so many things and that is understandable. We guard our wealth, reputation, and several other things and then leave the one thing we ought to guard, unguarded. We are so busy guarding those things that our hearts are left very vulnerable to attacks. We must be very careful to ensure that we tend our hearts. It has to be fed God’s word, protected from certain environments so it does not take in useless information and become unhealthy. We are our hearts. If for example, there is envy and jealousy in our hearts that is who we are notwithstanding who we may think we are or hope to be. It doesn’t matter the state of your heart as you read, if your heart has been left unguarded, you can begin to tend it today. God bless you.