1.“Old dogs can’t learn new tricks”.

If we tell ourselves that we are beyond learning something new, that will become true for us; we will have given up and become old in our minds.  I don’t want to become old in my mind.  Isn’t it true that you can learn new things if you put your mind to it and do it in a way that is manageable?  I read the book ‘Atomic Habits’ recently. The whole point of the book is that small changes made doable can have a great impact. I have found this to be true.  A passage of Scripture that comes to mind is this ”…put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God” Psalm 40:3a. There is no age limit mentioned.   A new song can lead us to a new and better way of speaking, thinking, and ultimately... living. One small new step at a time. 

2.“God helps those who help themselves.”

 I have heard this saying more times than I can count. Some people think it is even a Bible verse. It is not. God helps those who call to Him and do so humbly. Consider Psalm 40:2 “ I waited patiently for the Lord, and he turned and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and the mire.”  The psalmist did not get out of this pit because of positive thinking and strategizing. He got out of this pit initially because he cried out to God who heard him and lifted him. The help was born out of a humble desperate call to God. It does not mean that we are all slugs waiting for rescue and we do nothing.  We call out to him.  We look to him for wisdom, strength, courage; whatever it is we lack. We look to God for instruction. God sees what we do not and knows what we need. Receiving it, however, begins with humility and asking him for help. 

 3  “God wants me to be happy.“ 

This way of thinking can lead us to places that are unhelpful and dangerous. While it is true God does not want to see us miserable, he does allow some fairly difficult things to happen in our lives. James 1:2 reminds us “Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.“ A deep and enduring faith is possessed as we trust God through difficult days and steep climbs. To remember the promises of God and His resting presence in the storms we face is precious. The psalmist reminds us that God is a very present help in times of trouble. God loves us when times are great, as he does when days are hard.  He sees us and waits for us to call to him. If we think God wants us to be happy only, that is a naïve way of thinking. He wants us to be dependent upon Him and trust him, no matter what. 

Dear Father,

Thank you for your presence with me today. Thank you that you can put a new song in my mouth, and I ask that you do that. I ask that you give me wisdom for today, for the challenges I will face. I ask for your peace to rest on me. Thank you. 

In Jesus’ Name,

Amen