Breakfast Guests

“‘I will no longer drive out before them any of the nations…I will use them to test…and see whether they will keep the way of the LORD and walk in it’…he did not drive them out at once” Judges 2:21-23.

I absolutely love the orange juice commercial where the woman is having breakfast with her challenges for the day.  Each obstacle informs her of the manner in which they will make her day challenging.  She listens tentatively to each, as she sips on her OJ, peering over the top of her glass.  'No problem...Great' she states with a nod and smile.  She has learned to both expect and embrace her obstacles, being fully prepared and armed with her daily intake of strength.

If there is one description of our Father that I have learned, it is that everything He does is intentional and rooted in love for our best interest.  He will allow obstacles in our daily walk to sharpen our faith and put it into practice.  Sometimes the obstacles are severe ‘thorns in our side’ that are not being removed.  Other times they are a sum of ordinary issues that build into extraordinary stress.  Whatever we face each day is allowed into our lives for the betterment and growth of our faith.  God will use whatever challenge we face to exercise our spiritual muscle building confidence in Him.  Each morning we must scoot up to the spiritual breakfast table and sip on His word.  Spending time with Him assures the preparation we need daily to face whatever comes our way.

We listen for His guidance and trust Him with our day, no matter what it brings.  In our quiet morning fellowship, we drink our spiritual OJ – Our Jesus – which carries us through the day and better prepares us to face our overwhelming obstacles.  The obstacles we face feel like the enemy but they are providing the growth required to be built into a mighty people of God.  God will banish them when His work has been accomplished.  ‘The LORD will grant that the enemies who rise up against you will be defeated before you.  They will come at you from one direction but will flee from you in seven.’ Deut 28:7.

Don’t forget to drink your OJ this morning!