Dave Dishman

I prayed the other day for God to move the traffic in front of me. Shallow, I know, but I often pray for God to change my circumstances. My wife shared a wonderful devotional about this very topic with our team of Faculty Commons staff. She pointed out how we pray for God to set things right around us, when God actually desires to set things right in our hearts.

Samuel anointed Saul as the first king of Israel, a total shock to the young man. In an instant his circumstances radically changed. So unnerved, Saul even hid when his name was announced as the new king. But God came along. We’re told that after his anointing, God gave him another heart.

God did not change anything about the obstinate people of Israel. He did not weaken the Philistines, their fearsome enemies. Nor did he change Saul’s family or friends or hairstyle. Nothing changed—except for Saul’s heart.

While I often pray for my circumstances to change, I’m realizing that God is more interested in changing my heart. As my heart transforms I gain a new perspective on circumstances. God views my life through a timeless lens. He plays patiently, crafting my soul through various circumstances.

Do I still pray for the traffic in front of me to part like the Red Sea? Unfortunately, old habits are hard to break. But I’m hopeful the Lord will remind me in those moments the value of the new heart he’s forming. Heavy traffic is only one of his tools to make me a better man.

1 Samuel 10:9

Photo by Szabolcs Antal

I’ve always found this verse to be confusing: Precious in the sight of the Lord
is the death of his saints. Does this mean that God is happy when a good person dies? Why would God value the death of those who serve him most faithfully?

But the verse actually underscores the fact that God welcomes into heaven those who completed their life still following him. That’s no easy task. The Christian life consists of a long obedience in the same direction, and many veer off the path. But those referenced here cross the finish line focused on the author and perfecter of faith.

God doesn’t want us just to die, he wants our death to transition us from earth to glory. God created us to live abundantly, and he welcomes his saints into life as he designed it. Our souls desire nothing more than to live in proximity to their maker, and joyously leap at their return.

To his followers that cross the threshold God says, Welcome home, let’s spend some time together. Better words you and I will never hear.

Psalm 116:15

Photo by Johannes Plenio

Moses famously drew water from a rock, but did you know that Samson did as well? After winning a great victory over Israel’s enemies, Samson nearly fainted due to thirst. He called upon the Lord in his desperation and God answered:

God split open the hollow place that is at Lehi, and water came out from it. And when he drank, his spirit returned, and he revived. Therefore the name of it was called En-hakkore; it is at Lehi to this day.

En-hakkore translates to the spring of him who called. Samson called to the Lord in his time of anguish, and the Lord answered in a miraculous way. How often have I called, and the Lord has answered? It’s good to think back on the moments in life when good things came from unexpected places. Could that have been God working on my behalf?

Keep praying. The same God who provided for Samson provides for us. You and I face dry, stony conditions at times, but who knows, perhaps the Lord is holding water behind those rocks for exactly when we need it?

Judges 15:18-20

Photo by Riley Revell

No doubt we live in a violent world. While my life remains peaceful, only a glance at the news reveals warfare, crime and families fighting with fists and knives. Some deep tendency in human nature leads to savage behaviors.

King David lived in a similar world. He wrote of his situation, Too long have I had my dwelling among those who hate peace. I am for peace, but when I speak, they are for war!

David rose to power through violent circumstances. Defeating Goliath on the battlefield launched his career, and he went on to lead men in multiple conflicts. Small wonder that many of these same warriors found it difficult to revert to quiet gentility when the fighting stopped. David wrote of a peace that he found difficult to grasp.

Jesus taught blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. Like David discovered, peacemakers are hard to find. Let’s pray for those who seek peace, and for the blunting of those who love violence. While peace is elusive, it’s not out of the question. Lord, bless the peacemakers, and bring more of them into our lives and our world.

Psalm 120 & Matthew 5:9

Photo by Aaron Burden