2021-12-20
Hebrews 5:14 NCV
In the 1940s, Switzerland manufactured 80 per cent of the world’s watches. Then in the 1960s, when an inventor presented a concept for a new type of watch to the leaders of a Swiss company, they rejected it. All the other Swiss companies he approached did the same. They lived by the philosophy, ‘If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it!’ But the inventor believed in his design, and took it to a company in Japan. The name of the company was Seiko, the design of the watch was digital, and guess what? Sales of digital watches soon outstripped the traditional analogue ones. One discernment-driven decision can change the course of our entire life. And our discernment can also end up blessing others.
Here are two things we need to know about God-given discernment: 1) It’s shaped by Scripture. ‘Anyone who lives on milk is still a baby and knows nothing about right teaching. But solid food is for those who are grown up. They are mature enough to know the difference between good and evil’ (v.13-14 NCV). Spending time in God’s Word, reading it, studying it, reflecting on it, and asking questions about it will help us develop our level of discernment.
2) It’s sharpened by use. The more we use it, the more competent we become. We’ll sometimes make mistakes when it comes to exercising discernment, but just like a muscle, the more we flex and stretch it, the stronger it grows.
And here’s one last thought about discernment: the Bible refers to ‘discerning of spirits’, or attitudes and motivations (see 1 Corinthians 12:10). What a great advantage to have! Let’s pray for the gift of discernment and use it at every opportunity.
Zech 9-11; John 21:1-14; Ps 12; Prov 31:1-5
2021-12-19
1 Kings 3:9 NCV
‘The LORD appeared to [Solomon] in a dream during the night. God said, “Ask for whatever you want me to give you”‘ (v.5 NCV). Solomon said, ‘I ask that you give me a heart that understands, so I can rule the people in the right way and will know the difference between right and wrong’ (v.9 NCV). Next, we read, ‘The LORD was pleased that Solomon had asked this (v.10 NCV). But God hadn’t finished talking to Solomon: ‘I will also give you what you did not ask for: riches and honour. During your life no other king will be as great as you’ (v.13 NCV). Discernment made Solomon one of the greatest kings who ever reigned.
You’ve probably heard the saying ‘Go with your gut feeling.’ But discernment is much more than that. It doesn’t rely only on intuition, intellect, or experience. The writer of Proverbs says, ‘Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths’ (Proverbs 3:5-6 NKJV).
There are two kinds of discernment: natural discernment and spiritual discernment. The first can fail us; the second never will. When natural discernment can’t take us any further, spiritual discernment enables us to keep going with faith and confidence. How do we recognise the difference? James tells us, ‘The wisdom that comes from God is first of all pure, then peaceful, gentle, and easy to please. This wisdom is always ready to help those who are troubled and to do good for others. It is always fair and honest’ (James 3:17 NCV). That’s what we’re aiming for, and that’s what God will give us when we ask Him for discernment.
Jer 31:31-37; Heb 8:1-13; 2 Cor 3:1
2021-12-18
1 Chronicles 12:32 NCV
William Orton, the president of Western Union, rejected an offer to buy the patents for the first telephone. The University of Southern California’s film school rejected an application (possibly several times) from Steven Spielberg. The technology company HP was offered the design of the first Apple computer, but chose not to take it up. What did all of these people and organisations have in common? They showed a lack of discernment and missed some great opportunities as a result.
When it comes to seeing life’s opportunities and solving life’s problems, we need discernment. It enables us to see what others don’t, fill in the missing pieces, and get to the heart of the matter. If we can see the root cause of a problem, we have a much better chance of solving it. That means when we stay in the area of our core gifts, our discernment will be stronger. So if we want to tap into our discernment potential, we should try to work from the areas of our strengths and giftings.
But there’s something else we can do: pray for discernment. It’s one of the nine ‘gifts of the Spirit’ promised to us in Scripture (see 1 Corinthians 12:7-10). Some of Israel’s greatest victories were won when David was king. And when we take a look at some of those who were part of his army, we read, ‘There were two hundred leaders from Issachar. They knew what Israel should do, and they knew the right time to do it.’
Discernment enables us to see doors of opportunity where others can only see brick walls. It will show us what we should do. So let’s ask God for the gift of discernment.
Zech 5-8; John 20:19-31; Ps 67; Prov 30:29-33
2021-12-17
1 Samuel 30:8 NLT
While David and his men were off fighting, the Amalekites destroyed their homes and took their families captive. First, David’s army wept. Second, they looked to David for guidance. Third, David looked to God, saying, ‘”Should I chase after this band of raiders? Will I catch them?” And the LORD told him, “Yes, go after them. You will surely recover everything that was take from you!”‘
There are four important points we need to remember: 1) Satan will attack our loved ones to get to us. It might be big stuff like a parent losing their job or a brother or sister becoming ill; or it could be little stuff like low-grade family tension and lack of consideration for each other. We need to stay alert and discern Satan’s attacks so we can defend ourselves against them.
2) Love people but lean only on God. The people David fought side by side with were the same ones who turned against him. That’s why our strength, strategies, and solutions must come from God, not others.
3) Talk to God. ‘David found strength in the LORD his God’ (v.6 NLT). If we talk about our situation, we can become discouraged. But if we talk to God, the One who can change our situation, we’ll be encouraged. The Bible says, ‘As a tree gives fruit, healing words give life, but dishonest words crush the spirit’ (Proverbs 15:4 NCV). God’s words will strengthen and uplift us.
4) We can get back what we’ve lost. God told David, ‘Go after them. You will surely recover everything that was taken from you.’ And what God did for David and his men that day, He’ll do for each one of us if we seek Him.
Zech 1-4; John 20:10-18; Ps 57; Prov 30:24-28
2021-12-16
John 14:26 NLT
Are you unsure how to begin finding answers to problems? Let’s take a look at some biblical wisdom about problem solving. First, listen to the Holy Spirit within you. He’ll constantly remind us of God’s plan and show us how to carry it out. Jesus said the Holy Spirit will ‘teach you everything and will remind you of everything I have told you’ (v.26 NLT). Has God instructed you to do something? If you haven’t done it yet, trust Him and take that step.
Second, spend time with God every day: ‘One thing have I asked of the LORD…that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life…He will hide me in his shelter in the day of trouble’ (Psalm 27:4-5 ESV). A shelter is a place of safety and protection. Even if things around us seem to be going horribly wrong, God’s sheltering presence is an oasis of peace. And if we spend time with Him in prayer and praise every day, we won’t have to run far to find Him when problems appear. Alone time with God helps restore our perspective and see problems from God’s point of view.
Third, never be too proud to seek advice and assistance. The Bible says those of us who are strong should bear the burdens of the weak (see Romans 15:1). There are times when we need to lift others, and times when we need to be lifted. The paralysed man in Luke 5 couldn’t get himself to Jesus, so his friends got him there. David turned to the men of Issachar because they ‘had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do’ (1 Chronicles 12:32 NKJV). When God provides help, let’s reach for it.
2 Tim 1-4; John 20:1-9; Ps 105:37-45; Prov 30:20-23
2021-12-15
Ephesians 1:11 NLT
When people around us make the wrong decisions, God can turn the situation around so things work in your favour and in accordance with His plan. So when things go wrong, instead of trying to find someone to blame, let’s turn our attention to looking for God’s hand at work.
Joseph’s brothers made a wrong decision by resenting him. Potiphar’s wife made a wrong decision by falsely accusing him. And the butler made a wrong decision by turning his back on him. But God arranged every step Joseph took, all the way to him becoming the pharaoh’s highest official. After years apart, Joseph stood face-to-face with the brothers who had treated him so badly, and said, ‘You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good’ (Genesis 50:20 NIV).
Joseph discovered three things through his experience, which we can also take on board: 1) When God wants you in a palace, nobody can keep you in a prison. 2) Your future isn’t in the hands of others; it’s in the hands of God. 3) Your God-given assignment in life doesn’t require the cooperation or approval of everyone, but it does need the cooperation of one person – you. God’s purposes will eventually overcome human plans. No one can stop God using us, blessing us, and giving us success – except ourselves. So let’s keep our hearts and our attitudes right.
The Message paraphrases Paul’s words, ‘Long before we first heard of Christ…he had his eye on us, had designs on us for glorious living, part of the overall purpose he is working out in everything and everyone’ (Ephesians 1:11-12 MSG). So let’s look for the hand of God in everything – even when things look impossible or unfixable to us, He’ll make it work.
Micah 5-7; John 19:30-42; Ps 105:23-36; Prov 30:15-19
