30 As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the LORD is flawless. He is a shield for all who take refuge in him. 31 For who is God besides the LORD? And who is the Rock except our God? 32 It is God who arms me with strength and makes my way perfect. 33 He makes my feet like the feet of a deer; he enables me to stand on the heights. 34 He trains my hands for battle; my arms can bend a bow of bronze. 35 You give me your shield of victory, and your right hand sustains me; you stoop down to make me great. 36 You broaden the path beneath me, so that my ankles do not turn.

Just sit a moment and let these thoughts sink deeply into our hearts. Our God is perfect, his way is perfect and his word is flawless. Not only is he perfect but he is able to give us strength and make us perfect. The next time we begin to say that “we just can’t …” we need to be reminded that we can in Jesus Christ. God has never called us to do anything or to become anything that he has not willingly provided us with all we need to fulfill his request. The real problem is not that we can’t do it but we don’t trust God to do it thru us. We can deal with the problems in our lives because God will give us the strength to handle them. We can make the right decisions because God will give us the wisdom to make them. We can overcome the temptations we face because God will provide the way of escape. We can handle the pain in our lives because God is the God of all comfort and has promised to be with us – no matter what we face. We can do all things thru Jesus Christ.

This is why Paul could write from prison that we are to rejoice in the Lord always and then for emphasis say: “again I say rejoice”. He goes on to tell us that we are to be anxious for nothing but turn everything over to the Lord. The Lord is near and he will give us his peace. In this same book he tells us that we are to work out what God so effectively works in us to accomplish his good will and pleasure in our lives. Again, the problem is our lack of faith and unwillingness to totally submit our lives to him and to his control.

Let me suggest that each of us try this total submission in faith for just one day. Let’s each start today with prayer and let God have complete control. When this works (and it will) we can then face tomorrow and do it again. Soon we will have changed and our lives will have changed too.

O God, give me faith and courage to totally submit to your will for me, just for one day. I earnestly seek your guidance and control today. Open for me the opportunities and empower me to use them according to your will. Give me strength and wisdom that only you can give. Give me comfort in place of sorrow and let me use my experience to help another. I pray in Jesus name.

May God bless each of us as we live for him, in his will today.