By: Kacie Starr Long
I grew up in your typical black Baptist church, and on Sunday mornings the choir would sing a song with a line that says, "And You did just what you said ..." from the song "That's When You Bless Me" originally recorded by the Los Angeles Mass Choir.
In the song, the writer shares how his life was a mess; it was full of pain, but God assured the songwriter, that if he would put his trust in God, everything would be okay. The singer makes the decision to obey God, and later several verses of the song belt out with:
"And you did just what you said ..."
The singer rejoices because he put his hope in God, and has discovered that God faithfully keeps His word.
This week has been quite a doozy.
I have felt the fiery darts sent my way by Satan.
Some were successfully blocked by my shield of faith, but other arrows definitely pierced my heart.
I've had to have tough conversations with peers and a friend. I've had to manage areas in my business that included difficult conversations, and I've had to do some redefining of relationships, which is never easy. In addition to my husband and family standing in faith regarding the outcome of two medical reports.
Perhaps you too are facing varying obstacles. Faith challenges in your family, workplace, or relationships and you need to be reminded that God is faithful and He will do what He said.
This week, while in prayer with my husband, I shared how I feel like I am clinging to the arm of God, as I navigate this season. Can you picture me a 6ft woman, wrapped around God's big arm, holding on for dear life, as I seek His wisdom and guidance in this season?
Well, that's me.
During my time of devotion, I came across Luke 22: 1-13 and was so encouraged because it tells of Jesus doing as He said.
In Luke 22, Jesus is two days away from crucifixion, but His disciples are none the wiser. It is Passover, the time when the Jewish people commemorate God's covenant and their deliverance from the Egyptians.
In preparation, Jesus tells Peter and John to go into town and find a location where they will enjoy Passover together.
Jesus gives them specific instructions:
Go into town
While in town, they will see a man carrying a water pitcher, and they are to follow him into a house.
Once inside the house, they are to tell the owner that Jesus would like to enjoy Passover there
The man will lead them to an upper room, furnished and ready for them.
The Bible says: "They went off to the city and found everything just as Jesus had said, and they prepared the Passover meal there. (Luke 22:13)
I love this scripture because it says that Peter and John followed Jesus' instructions and they, "found everything just as Jesus had said" (Luke 22:13).
God Will Do What He Said
What has God spoken into your life that you need to believe He will do what He said?
What has He promised in your heart, and written in His word, that you need to intentionally slow down and drink in (believe) His promise?
As I have held tightly to the word of God, I have found myself not just speed-reading long passages of scripture, but slowly chewing, and meditating on just a few verses
If we think about Luke 22:13, Jesus has been acting funny the entire week. He has flipped over tables in the synagogue, cursed a fig tree, had his feet anointed with oil and washed with a woman's hair, and now He gives specific instructions to two of His followers to go into town and follow a man carrying water on his head!
Nevertheless, scripture tells us that Peter and John obeyed Jesus.
They followed His instructions to a 'T'. And because they followed His instructions, they found everything just as Jesus said.
Jesus did exactly what He said He would do.
The disciples took Jesus at His word. They trusted He would do as He said.
Friend, we too can take God at His word.
Regardless of the situation --- how large or small, we can take God's promises to heart. God has a big mouth, and He always backs up every word He says. We can trust that He will do what He says.
This looks like slowing down, and meditating on God's word so it sinks deep inside our hearts.
This week, I've been meditating on scriptures that promise strength, safety, and deliverance.
My meditation and declaration come from Psalm 18:1-2
God is my strength.
God is my fortress and my savior.
God is my rock.
God, I trust you to keep me safe and strengthen my heart.
Trusting God to keep His word, requires me to know His word.
In order for me to bank on God doing what He said, I need to know what He says. God is not like the big talkers we may encounter in our everyday lives. You know, the type that yak and yak, but never deliver? God is not like that. His mouth is large, His words are big and heavy and He faithfully backs them up.
When we know God's word and reflect on His faithfulness, we can operate in faith and obedience like Peter and John. We can also sing loudly with heart and courage, like the LA Mass Choir; fully assured that God will do what He said.
PS: This year I really want to fall in love with God's word. Therefore, I am committing to memorize scripture each week. I invite you to join me on this journey, where I will email you the scripture for the week along with a short devotional. To receive these emails, please subscribe to my blog and receive an email from me each week. Let's go deeper into God's Word this year!
Hi, my name is Kacie Starr Long. I am an author, and speaker and I love to use my voice to point people to Jesus. When I'm not writing, I'm either working out at Orange Theory Fitness or sewing. God delivered me from food addiction and I have a sewing ministry, called the Sew Hope Community Sewing Room. I am the proud wife of Alfred T. Long, Sr and together we lead a non-profit that serves prisoners and their families. Connect with me at www.InspiredOverflow.com and via my YouTube page for Christian teachings and encouragement.