Take Nothing for your Journey

Thistlebend Quiet eMoment

by Laurie Aker

Focus Scripture: Luke 9:1-5 ESV

1 And he called the twelve together and gave them power and authority
over all demons and to cure diseases,
2 and he sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal.
3 And he said to them, “Take nothing for your journey,
no staff, nor bag, nor bread, nor money; and do not have two tunics.
4 And whatever house you enter, stay there, and from there depart.
5 And wherever they do not receive you,
when you leave that town shake off the dust from your feet
as a testimony against them.”
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Jesus sent the twelve out to proclaim the Kingdom of God.

He told them,
“Take nothing for your journey.”

They were to depend solely upon Him.
His love.
His kindness.
His guidance.
And His provision,
whether directly or through others.

They were to proceed forward trusting Him
in everything and for everything.
Believing that God had gone before them,
that God would go behind them, above them, and beside them.
That God would go with them and
be their defense and their shield.

They were to depend upon Providence.
Merriam Webster’s definition of Providence is:
(1) “divine guidance or care,”
(2) “God conceived as the power sustaining
and guiding human destiny.”

TAKING THE TRUTH TO HEART

How often do we seek to provide for
and to protect ourselves?
How often do we worry?

Each morning when we awaken,
we are called to follow our Lord and Shepherd,
trusting in His leading and providing.

How often do we doubt?
We probably don’t doubt His love and His care
as much as we doubt our ability to hear His voice or
follow His guidance.
But without realizing it, we are saying virtually the same thing.
We are saying that as God He isn’t able to watch over,
care and provide for, and guide.
The sheep are utterly and completely dependent upon
the shepherd to redirect them if they get off course.
It is not up to the sheep to know the way.
It is up to the shepherd.

We are to be His sheep.
We are to follow Him and not our own ways.

Psalm 95:6-7
6 Oh come, let us worship and bow down;
let us kneel before the Lord, our Maker! 
7 For he is our God,
and we are the people of his pasture,
and the sheep of his hand.  

Psalm 100:3
Know that the Lord, he is God!
It is he who made us, and we are his;
we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.

AND BRINGING IT TO LIFE

Chose one truth from today and apply it to your heart.
Take it with you throughout the day.

PRAYER

Lord, please help us remember that you are our Shepherd
and that you will guide us as we seek to follow you.

We are your sheep.
We belong to you and no one else.
We are yours.

Help us take nothing upon ourselves.
Help us to depend solely upon you for everything.

In His hands for His glory,

Laurie
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