Devotion: Regard

“He did all this so you would never say to yourself, ‘I have achieved this wealth with my own strength and energy.’ Remember the Lord your God. He is the one who gives you power to be successful, in order to fulfill the covenant he confirmed to your ancestors with an oath.”  Deuteronomy 8:17-18 NLT

When I was growing up I had great regard for my father. He was the spiritual head of the household, just as God commanded. Quick tempered, strong willed and unquestionable, my father models the God he knows. Disobeying the sixth commandment was never an option.

When I was eighteen years old, I went to my father because I was engaged to be married a few weeks after high school graduation but I didn’t feel I was ready. The Holy Spirit was nudging me, nagging me, never letting up. Biblical law, however, indicated that getting married at eighteen was God’s plan for me. My father’s advice and the nudging of The Spirit were at odds and there was no way to honor both. Because I was raised not to question my father or church authority, I disregarded the Holy Spirit.

That marriage didn’t work out. Because I failed to regard my father’s will and his vision of God’s will for me, he has never forgiven me. I lost my health, my family, friends and most all earthly possessions. But the Holy Spirit never gave up on me, never abandoned me, even at my lowest points. The Holy Spirit brought me through and helped me find love and life, even though I had deliberately disregarded Her.

I now recognize The Spirit’s voice and try to respond. Sometimes The Spirit’s prompting seems to defy conventional wisdom. It often runs counter to voices that are considered to be authorities. Sometimes I am pushed to the edge of a cliff and have no option but to jump…and trust. And in those very scary times it always works out.

Holy Spirit, help us to discern God’s true will for us and to never disregard Your prompting. Help us to remember that man’s will is no obstacle to Your plans. Amen

Written by Denise Mainquist