“The foolishness of man perverteth his way; and his heart fretteth against the Lord.” Proverbs 19:3
Today’s Christian daily devotional
“Dad! No!” Alyssa quickly sprints into the kitchen.
I follow her. The distinct smell of steak and onions leads us down the tiny hallway.
Mr. Huggins is sweating over a hot frying pan, his large body spilling over the edges of the stove.
“Don’t worry about me.” He bats her away with his large wrist as if she were a tiny fly.
“But Daddy…the doctor said your cholesterol was too high. He said that you could die. You’re on a strict diet and steaks are not on the list he gave you.” Alyssa earnestly pleaded with her father from the kitchen table.
“Honey, It is my life and if I want to eat my steak and die early, so be it.” Adding an extra pat of butter he flips his slab of meat, dabbing the sweat pooling around the rolls in his neck.
In complete despair at her father’s lack of interest, we both retreated back into her bedroom opening the windows for fresh air. Releasing the odor of butter, onions, steak and smoke into the night, the cool breeze wafted in.
No matter how much Alyssa pleaded, her father stubbornly refused to adjust his lifestyle one iota. And sadly, within three months he was no longer with us.
The next time I saw Mr. Huggins was at the Greenwood funeral home. His ashy face and large presence was stuffed neatly into a cedar box. He looked like a different man in his suit and tie.
“I hate God. He took my father. Now, it’s just me and my mom.” Alyssa seethed as we stole a moment in the bathroom of the memorial home. Daddy’s little princess hung her head like a lost orphan.
I pulled her into my chest for a big hug, opening my mouth to speak. No matter how hard I tried to think of something comforting to say, actual words escaped me.
More often than not, if our lives are filled with strife and pain, the cause of it is most likely our own foolish choices, not God’s. He has given all of us a freewill. God allows us to make our own choices. They could be good, evil, smart or pathetic. But, ultimately, they are always ours to make.
Proverbs 19:3 tells us that a foolish person makes bad decisions and then blames God for them.
Of course, many people are in the midst of bad circumstances that may not be the direct result of any personal choice. Because we are living in a fallen world where bad circumstances are unavoidable; no one is immune to them. That is why it is crucial to decide now BEFORE your day comes if will you turn to God; or if will you become His enemy. A wise man is the man with God on His side.
“Dear Heavenly Father,
I am so guilty of pushing my own agenda, and when things did not turn out the way I that I had hoped and planned for, I blamed you and got angry.
I am sorry. I was the fool that you depicted in Prov. 19:3. Not only do I accept your forgiveness, I ask for supernatural wisdom to never be that kind of fool again.
It is so easy to complain and blame when things don’t go the way that I desire–especially when I wish to do good! I pray that you will give me a heart that will trust that you want the best for my life, and you will work all things out for my good in the end.
Lord, as long as I stay on the right path, I know you got my back; and even when I veer off of it, I know you STILL have my back!
You will bring me back to wisdom with your chastening. I pray that I will never get bitter in that chastening as it says in your word, that God chastens the ones He calls His children. I will consider it an honor and a sign of love when this happens. Lord, bless me with an ability to see the spiritual benefit of even the worst circumstances. In Jesus’ precious name, Amen.”
Thank you for reading today’s Christian daily devotional on verses: Proverbs 19:3
Please check back and see what we have for you tomorrow!
Author: Julia Shalom Jordan