Dave's Diary

Prayer

Before you read, I invite you to pray this prayer based on Psalm 119:3-5:

Lord, please give me the grace to understand what You want me to do, so that I may follow Your ways, in full and steadfast obedience. Amen.

Reading

Matthew 4:18-22

‘And he said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” (v.19)

As I reflect on this verse, it strikes me that Jesus called these men into a form of relational discipleship and then promised that it would be completely transformational. Their friendship with Jesus would utterly transform them.

Do you notice that this verse contains both a “command” and a “promise”.

The command is, “Follow me!” The part we are invited to play in this relationship is following Jesus. That is, keeping our attention firmly fixed on Jesus and keeping in step with where we sense Him going and what we sense Him doing and saying.

The promise is “I will make you …” This is the part Jesus promises to play – i.e. transforming us. What we become is ultimately not up to us and our efforts. We’re invited to trust that Jesus Himself will transform us into everything He wants us to be, through our relationship with Him.

Our role is to enter a relationship with Jesus as our Lord and King in which we trust Him enough to follow Him day by day to the best of our ability. What we become as a result of our following is up to Him. That’s why this relationship with Jesus is such a matter of faith .

Trevor Hudson once wrote in an article for Renovare:

“Friendship with God transforms us. Learning to trust God as our Divine Friend has a transforming effect on every aspect of our lives. It affects how we pray, our relationships with others, and the way we understand our everyday existence. Trusting God as our Divine Friend changes the way we think and feel, what we desire and long for, the way we see each other, and how we seek to live in the world. Our friendship with God creates the environment in which we become the people God wants us to be.”

Today’s Scripture reminds us that the “friendship with God” which Jesus makes possible begins with obedience to the simple command that will direct the rest of our lives: “Come, follow Me.”

Contemplation

Please take time to ponder what Jesus has commanded us. Turn one or more of these declarations of truth and commitment over and over in your mind. Keep them in mind throughout the day and live in step with Your King, Jesus.

As a disciple:

• I will keep my attention on Jesus so I can follow Him.
• I will follow where I sense Jesus leading me.
• I will say and do what I sense Jesus would have me say and do.
• I will trust Jesus with the outcome of my obedience.

Is there a particular situation in which you are battling to do or say what you know Jesus is leading you to do or say. Ask the Holy Spirit now to empower you to follow Him in that specific situation.