"A Wasted Day?"

 

“A Wasted Day?”

 

One of the churches I served held a men’s Bible study at 6:00am which opened with a rousing musical rendition of Psalm 118:24: “This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.” Since I wrote “Daily Bookends” about eight months ago I’ve sung this truth in my mind almost every morning, I have my plans for what I intend to do each day (as did the members of that group many years ago) but I have no idea of what might develop. Our Lord’s brother warns us against presumptuous planning in this way: “…You ought to say, ‘If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.’” (James 4:15, emphasis added).

I’m writing these thoughts on November 8. Yesterday as usual I prepared for my devotional reading (I’m in Isaiah) but God led me instead to Psalm 124 in which the unknown author expresses his trust in God’s protection: “Our help is in the name of the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.” (Verse 8). This prompted me to stop, reflect on who God is and what He’s done and let Him speak throughout the day. There were periods of silence from Him which allowed me to take a couple of naps. At the end of the day I looked at the list of what I’d wanted to accomplish and saw few things crossed out. So was it a wasted day?

Waste means having no purpose. Does God do anything that doesn’t in some way fulfill His desires or intentions for His world and those who occupy it? Even if a day seems unproductive in my sight (as yesterday did) does that mean it was wasted? No way! Because God is sovereign over Heaven and Earth (“…the Lord is God in heaven above and on the earth below. There is no other.”—Deuteronomy 4:39) and “…his way is perfect…. (Psalm 18:30) every day and action is under His control and therefore will accomplish His objectives. So thank Him that He’s in charge (“…the Lord’s purposes {will} stand….”—Jeremiah 51:29).

I may never fully know why God changed my course yesterday but today I woke up refreshed and was able to function as I normally do and complete most of my plans (including some left over from yesterday). I was reminded anew of His words through His prophet: “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways….” (Isaiah 55:8) and realized (for the umpteenth time) that God hasn’t told me to understand His ways but to trust Him, even through what might seem like a wasted day. It never is in His sight—I’m thankful that He’s in control, not me.

 

Grace and Blessings!

Jim McMillan