Main verse: 2 Kings 16:7-18

Good morning!

            In my early teens I played with a kid across the street from me. This kid would put together model cars, airplanes, and ships that looked nice and were suitable for display. I was jealous of this kid because I wished I could build models like he did. So, I asked my dad if I could get a model ship for Christmas. My dad and mom bought a model of the Cutty Sark which was a British Clipper ship which was launched around 1869 from Dumbarton Scottland (Cutty Sark). When I first started putting the pieces together, my dad told me, “Take your time, follow the directions in order, and let the glue dry.” On Christmas morning I opened the box, read the instructions, and found the pieces that I needed. After a month or so of working on the ship, I invited the kid next door over to critique my work. Bear in mind, this kid is a perfectionist and found immense joy in criticizing others’ work. When I finished the work the kid said, “This is an F- work and I would burn it up” so, I burned it up. After I destroyed the ship, I lamented to my dad how hard the work was and how unqualified I was to build it which was what the kid next door said. My dad remarked, “If you had listened to me and asked for help, I would have gladly given it.”

            In the same way, when God gives us a gift, it is always unfinished and will require work on our part to finish it. The Lord never gives us gifts that we are unqualified for, and He will always give us everything we need to successfully complete the project (Exodus 3:11-12). God’s instructions are clear and easy to follow (Exodus 20:1-17, Proverbs 3:1-12, Matthew 11:28-30). When we need wisdom and/or a word of encouragement our answer is a prayer away (Matthew 7:7-8). The problem is people like me often overlook the help that is available to us but choose instead to ask people who have no personal stake in the project’s success as in the case of King Ahaz. My encouragement for whatever project or situation you are facing is, always remember our help comes from the Lord (Psalms 121).

I.H.S.

MK