Our verse today is Proverbs 19:3.
“A man’s own folly subverts his way, yet his heart rages against the Lord.”
When you understand this verse, you will understand that it says we do things that hurt us and then wonder why God did this to us!
It reminds me of the story of the father who walked up on his son and his dog. The dog (named Kelly) and the four-year-old Josh had a wonderful relationship. Although the dog and the boy loved each other, the dog often had to put up with the boy’s behavior. Josh loved to hug the dog. Kelly would take as much as he could, but would eventually turn around and nip at the boy to make him turn loose.
One day, the father walked up on Josh and Kelly. Josh had his arms around the dog and his head tucked into the dog’s body so that Kelly could not bite him so easily. As Dad noticed that Josh’s eyes were closed and he heard him say a little prayer, “Dear God, please don’t let Kelly bite me.”
“Josh,” the father said, “God would be more apt to answer your prayer, if you would let go of the dog.”
We, too, are like the little boy holding on to the dog. He knows the dog will bite him, but prays that he won’t bite. We also do things that will bite us, but we don’t want to feel the bite. What do we do to stop the biting? We pray. We only pray!
We pray for a happy marriage and then neglect one another. We pray for a closer walk with God, but do not read His Word. We pray for peace, yet we live life at a frantic pace.
Each of us should examine the things that we pray for and then decide what we can do to help make the prayers come true.
Continue praying, but also do your part.
I’m Lonnie Davis, and these are thoughts worth thinking.