Oswald Chambers really "hit a home run" with this devotional. All I can say is this is the life that I want to live.

It doth not yet appear what we shall be. 1 John 3:2.

Naturally, we are inclined to be so mathematical and calculating that we look upon uncertainty as a bad thing. We imagine that we have to reach some end, but that is not the nature of spiritual life. The nature of spiritual life is that we are certain in our uncertainty, consequently we do not make our nests anywhere. Common sense says—‘Well, supposing I were in that condition …’ We cannot suppose ourselves in any condition we have never been in.

Certainty is the mark of the commonsense life: gracious uncertainty is the mark of the spiritual life. To be certain of God means that we are uncertain in all our ways, we do not know what a day may bring forth. This is generally said with a sigh of sadness; it should be rather an expression of breathless expectation. We are uncertain of the next step, but we are certain of God. Immediately we abandon to God, and do the duty that lies nearest, He packs our life with surprises all the time. When we become advocates of a creed, something dies; we do not believe God, we only believe our belief about Him. Jesus said “Except ye … become as little children.” Spiritual life is the life of a child. We are not uncertain of God, but uncertain of what He is going to do next. If we are only certain in our beliefs, we get dignified and severe and have the ban of finality about our views; but when we are rightly related to God, life is full of spontaneous, joyful uncertainty and expectancy.

“Believe also in Me,” said Jesus, not—‘Believe certain things about Me.’ Leave the whole thing to Him, it is gloriously uncertain how He will come in, but He will come. Remain loyal to Him.

 Oswald Chambers, My Utmost for His Highest: Selections for the Year (Grand Rapids, MI: Oswald Chambers Publications; Marshall Pickering, 1986).

Lord, establish my certainty in you alone and enable me walk through the rest of life in the blissful freedom of the graciousness of uncertainty. Amen.

I'm reading through Mark's Gospel and today I'm in chapter 6. Here are some excellent insights from F.B. Meyer:

In the opening paragraph of this chapter, we learn of hatred and rejection of those who had enjoyed the rich privileges of being the neighbors and associates of our Lord from his earliest days. They could not discern the divine in the human, the heavenly under the earthly veil. The Saviour, therefore, driven from their towns, goes about among the villages...in order to spread the good news as far as possible. The Lord is still in his Church through the Holy Spirit, but his power is limited and neutralized by our unbelief. It is useless to ask him to put forth his great power and save us, so long as we have made it practically impossible for him to do as we ask... Faith is our capacity for God, and there are several conditions for its nurture and growth

 F. B. Meyer, Through the Bible Day by Day: A Devotional Commentary, vol. 5 (Philadelphia: American Sunday-School Union, 1914–1918), 88–89.

Lord Jesus, like your first disciples, we ask you to increase our faith. By the empowering of your Holy Spirit, enable us to believe that you are all that you are. Broaden our vision. Be magnified in our eyes. Be free to do all the works that you desire to do in us, through us, and around us. To you be all glory and honor. Amen.

I pray that you will be as encouraged in your walk with Jesus as I am by these challenging words from Oswald Chambers:

The proof that we are rightly related to God is that we do our best whether we feel inspired or not.

One of the great snares of the Christian worker is to make a fetish of his rare moments. When the spirit of God gives you a time of inspiration and insight, you say—‘Now I will always be like this for God.’ No, you will not, God will take care you are not. Those times are the gift of God entirely. You cannot give them to yourself when you choose. If you say you will only be at your best, you become an intolerable drag on God; you will never do anything unless God keeps you consciously inspired. If you make a god of your best moments, you will find that God will fade out of your life and never come back until you do the duty that lies nearest, and have learned not to make a fetish of your rare moments.

 Oswald Chambers, My Utmost for His Highest: Selections for the Year (Grand Rapids, MI: Oswald Chambers Publications; Marshall Pickering, 1986).

King Jesus, forgive me for seeking your gifts and spiritual experiences rather than finding my satisfaction in you. Help me to see you and seek you alone, even in the most menial of activities. Thank you for calling me into your kingdom. Amen.

I was challenged by Oswald Chambers' reflection on Moses' encounter with God at the burning bush (Exodus 3) this morning:

Readiness for God means that we are ready to do the tiniest little thing or the great big thing, it makes no difference. We have no choice in what we want to do; whatever God’s [program] may be we are there, ready. When any duty presents itself we hear God’s voice as Our Lord heard His Father’s voice, and we are ready for it with all the alertness of our love for Him. Jesus Christ expects to do with us as His Father did with Him. He can put us where He likes, in pleasant duties or in mean duties, because the union is that of the Father and Himself. “That they may be one, even as We are one.”

Be ready for the sudden surprise visits of God. A ready person never needs to get ready. Think of the time we waste trying to get ready when God has called! The burning bush is a symbol of everything that surrounds the ready soul, it is ablaze with the presence of God.

 Oswald Chambers, My Utmost for His Highest: Selections for the Year (Grand Rapids, MI: Oswald Chambers Publications; Marshall Pickering, 1986).

Lord, I pray that you would find me ready for whatever service you may call me to do this day. Awaken me to the reality that I am in union with you at all times and may this be reflected in my readiness to do your will at all times. Amen.

I really appreciate and am challenged by F.B. Meyer's comments on Mark 1:9-20. I pray that it will a source of encouragement to you as you continue to follow Jesus this day.

If the Lord was thus anointed ere he commenced his life-work, how much more must we be! Hast thou become united with him in his death, made one with him in his resurrection, and anointed by that same Spirit? Then be sure that thou, too, must be tempted. Sons of men must go the way of the Son of man, now under the opened heavens, then tempted of the devil; on one side the wild beasts, on the other the angels; now driven to loneliness, and then to the crowded street of the cities, there to gather disciples by the energy and beauty of a victorious life.

 F. B. Meyer, Through the Bible Day by Day: A Devotional Commentary, vol. 5 (Philadelphia: American Sunday-School Union, 1914–1918), 83.