The other day, as I stared in the mirror, I said, “It’s hard to believe I am this good looking!” Shannon said, “It is hard to believe.” This got me thinking.
While Shannon said the right thing, I noticed her tone wasn’t nearly as enthusiastic or affirming as it should have been. I began to suspect her words did not back up her true belief. I found this very troubling. There are times I think God feels the same way.
When I pray The Lord’s Prayer and say, “Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven,” that means I am willing to do my part to follow God’s will and work to bring about his kingdom. But there are times, when even though I say the right words, I am not willing to use my time, effort, and money to bring about God’s kingdom. There are times when my prayers are not as sincere as they should be. That makes me a hypocrite. This is nothing new.
Jesus had a stern warning for people like me. He said, “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven.” (Matthew 7:21)
If I am going to talk the talk, that means I am going to walk the walk. There is no other way.
So if you find that your prayers and actions don’t match up, it’s time for a change.
The psalmist said, “Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer. “ (Psalm 19:14)
In order for this to happen, our words and actions must be sincere.
Prayer: Dear Gracious Heavenly God, give me the wisdom to discern your will, the strength to carry it out, and the resolve to see it through. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.
We must never divorce prayer from action. It matters too much.
Also, just for the record, I am making an appointment for Shannon to have her eyes checked. Something’s seriously wrong.
I pray your day is filled with joy and laughter.
Tom Robbins
Daily Devotionals by Dr. Tom Robbins 