Seize the Day
READ: Psalm 103
Have you ever seen the movie "Dead Poet's Society?" It's about a teacher who encourages his students to look at life from a different point of view and to seize the day. One of the students, Neil, is under pressure from his father, who doesn't want him to be an actor. At the end of the movie, Neil kills himself because he can't handle the pressure any more. Have you ever felt that you couldn't go on any more or been so discouraged that you don't care about anything?
"...forget not all his benefits, who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's." When we get caught up in the things of this life, it's hard to remember that God is always there for us. We may forget Him at times, but He never forgets us. This passage can't put it any clearer that God has us covered in every area of our lives. God doesn't want us to worry and to trust Him to take care of us.
Our Father is never like Neil's father, but are we sometimes like Neil? Do we stop caring when life gets too hard? Do we give up? When we have to deal with those situations, let's not forget the promises of God. With God we can handle all the pressures in our lives. He understands everything we're going through, and He loves us and has compassion on us. Through God's love, promises, and power, we are able to seize the day.
THINGS TO THINK ABOUT: What are some God-pleasing ways to seize the day? How are we reminded of God's help? What personal benefits has God blessed you with?
PRAYER SUGGESTIONS: Ask God to help us remember Him when we're going through hard times, and ask Him to remind us that whatever happens to us, happens because He loves us. Pray for others who may not know about God's help or who have forgotten it, and thank God for His unfailing love.