Devotion By Dianna Hobbs // Your Daily Cup of Inspiration

When our youngest son, Kaleb – now thirteen – was just a little boy, he loved to eat sugar. Whenever I entered the kitchen and saw a trail of white on the floor, I instantly knew our resident sugar bandit had snuck in and confiscated a handful of sweetness. You see, he wasn’t savvy enough to know it was slipping right through his fingers and leaving incriminating evidence scattered all over the mahogany tiles.

The more I disciplined Kaleb and told him how unacceptable, unhealthy, and unwise it was to repeat this behavior, for quite some time, he persisted anyway. Thankfully, his days of sugar-smuggling are behind him. However, Kaleb still loves a good sugar fix. If it were up to him, I honestly think he would eat candy, ice cream and desserts for breakfast, lunch, snack time, and supper.

Whether you have a sweet tooth or not, we all can relate to wanting something we don’t necessarily need. That’s why God, our caring father, is there to protect us, guide us and keep us from self-destructing—that is, if we’re willing to submit to Him.

In 1 Samuel 8, Israel wasn’t at all interested in submitting to God, because they desperately desired to have a natural king to rule over them. Just for a little context, at this point in history, the Hebrew nation was dissatisfied with their current leadership. The prophet Samuel, who had been the mouthpiece of God to help lead them on the right path, had stepped aside and let his sons, Joel and Abijah, take over as leaders.

Unfortunately, Samuel’s sons did not walk in the ways of righteousness as their father did. Therefore, the elders of Israel got together and told Samuel they wanted a king to “lead us and to go out before us and fight our battles.”

Israel’s rejection of God’s leadership is astounding, because they were devaluing divine guidance in favor of carnal conformity. How could they not see that choosing a natural king over the King of the entire universe was a major downgrade? What did they need a king for?

They didn’t need a king when God miraculously parted the Red Sea, making it possible for them to cross on dry land and be freed from Egyptian slavery (Exodus 14).

They didn’t need a king when God rained Manna from heaven to feed them (Exodus 16).

They didn’t need a king when God brought water out of rock so they wouldn’t die of thirst (Exodus 17).

They didn’t need a king when God miraculously parted the Jordan River and brought them across on dry land the second time, so they could enter into the Promised Land (Joshua 3-4).

Israel was in the best hands, and you are too! 2 Corinthians 3:5 reminds you that God is your sufficiency. He is everything you need. He is your rock; your provider; your way-maker; your sustainer; your restorer; your deliverer. He is the One who loves you so much that that He sent His own son, Jesus Christ, who is the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, to redeem you from sin and secure eternal life just for you!

Amazing, right?

That means the greatest King of all-time is leading you, advocating for you, interceding for you and favoring you. Because of Him, you have life “and that more abundantly,” according to John 10:10. As you can see, there is no need to be intimidated by storms, worried about challenges, fearful of enemies, or anxious about situations.

The same mighty fortress and deliverer who rescued Israel out of the wilderness, will bring you out of your wilderness and into your Promised Land. You belong to Him. You are royalty. You are special, chosen, anointed, blessed and favored of the Lord.

To remind you of who and whose you are, I’m stirring 1 Peter 2:9 NIV into your cup of inspiration, which says, “But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.”

As you drink down the contents of your cup, rejoice that your faith has engrafted you into the royal family of God. You have an inheritance with your name on it. Abundant blessings belong to you.

Now let’s pray.

God, thank You for reminding me that You are my sufficiency, and because I belong to You, I have everything I need. When I feel tempted to worry, help me remember the promises in Your word and be assured that You will take care of me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

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