Day 3: Saying "Yes" to God

Reading: Psalm 3:1-8

Psalms is filled with many of the emotions that David experienced as he walked with God. Many times, David was met by hardship and unimaginable trials. We get a look at David's life and heart through his writings to God in Psalms. Today, those trials meet him, and we see how distraught he is by his foes. But we also get a look at the hope he carries with him. Though he feels overwhelmed by his enemies, he is confident that God will carry him through. He has confidence that he can sleep, even in the midst of "ten thousand enemies" because he knows God will protect him. An example we can take from David is that we should keep our eyes on God, even in those rough times. No matter how hard life beats you down and threatens to steal your confidence in the One who can carry you through, we need to keep our eyes on Him. Saying "yes" to God is putting our trust in Him and relying fully on His protection. 

What "enemies" are overwhelming you right now?

How can you have the same confidence David had in the midst of these hardships?

Reading: Matthew 2:19-3:17

When we say yes to a life with God, we say yes to so much more than attending church, reading the Bible, and praying when the time is right. We say yes to a whole new life, filled with the things Jesus was filled with the day of His baptism. When John the Baptist insisted that it should be him who gets baptized by Jesus, Jesus replies that it is only proper in righteousness that He be baptized, symbolizing that He identified with human beings. When Jesus is baptized, his Father's voice comes down on them, stating, "this is My dearly loved Son, Who brings Me great joy." We can take many things from this baptism that applies to us when we give our lives over to God: 

A sign of refinement. We are made new and washed pure when we say yes to a life with God. Jesus displays this to those around Him, though He is already pure. 

Filled with peace. Though life isn't going to be easier after you give your life to Him, you will experience a new kind of piece that surpasses all understanding. Like we saw in David's life when his enemies overwhelmed him. When the dove descended down to Jesus, this was a sign of peace that only comes from the Holy Spirit. 

We join a new family. Being in the family of God is being adopted by Him. We are His children, and He is our Heavenly Father. He will watch over us and guide our steps.

He loves us dearly. God tells Jesus that He is His dearly loved Son. We are dearly loved by Him too, and He cares for us enough to sacrifice for us. 

He takes joy in us. Walking with God will give you the opportunity to experience His joy and pleasure for you. Everyday is a blessing with Him.

What are some things you've experienced since saying "yes" to God? What do you look forward to?

Why do you think it was so important that Jesus be baptized by John the Baptist even though He is already pure and sinless? What symbol did this create for humanity?

Reading: Genesis 4:17-6:22

In today's world, saying "yes" to God is not an easy task. We read about the corruption in the world, and evil that took place after God created man and woman. This saddens God so much, that He regrets putting man here. However, we read about two men in this passage who found favor in God's eyes and said "yes" to Him, despite what the world was doing. Enoch found favor in God's eyes, we read, and The Lord just took Him one day. Noah, who also found favor with The Lord, was put to a great task, however. Even though it seemed ridiculous and people surely mocked him, Noah obeyed anyway. And by the end of this story, you can see why obeying God would be for the best. But even in today's world, we will face the corruption of the world around us, and feel the pressures of the norm. We can follow the examples of these two men, and decide to pursue what God has in store, rather than what the rest of the world demands. 

What pressures do you face from the world around you that don't line up with God's will?

How can obeying God be beneficial in the big picture, though the rest of the world may find it silly or against what is "normal" to them?

Saying "yes" to God is not only overwhelming, but it is saying "yes" to a life filled with His amazing love and peace. It takes a lot of courage to stand up and proclaim you will follow someone with the most controversial name in history, Jesus. And the world will definitely shove it's own values down your throat, then complain when you voice yours, but hold your head high, and remember the confidence that David had when he was overwhelmed by ten thousand enemies, and Noah, who persisted with the mockers around him.