Joyce Meyer Daily Devotionals June 1 2023 Topic: A Friend of God
SCRIPTURE: No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you. — John 15:15 (ESV)A Friend of God
We all need to be corrected at times and I believe God’s desire is to speak to us and the correcting Himself before using other people or situations to correct us. Correction is one of the most difficult things to receive, especially when it come through others, so God prefers to first help us deal with matters privately. But, if we do not know how to let Him correct us privately or will not receive it, He may correct us in more public ways. One time we were ministering in a foreign country. I was in a restaurant trying to convey to the waiter what I wanted to eat, but he did not speak much English and I did not speak his language at all. Frustration soon became evident in my attitude and tone of voice. I was behaving poorly in front of people who knew I was in that country to minister and, of course, my example to them was important.
I knew I had behaved badly, but God wanted me to really know, so when Dave and I returned to our hotel room, Dave mentioned the incident and said I had not set a good example for others. Although I knew he was right, and I knew God was using him to make sure I fully realized how important my behavior is, my inclination was to point out that Dave had acted similarly before. Had I done that, I would not have genuinely received the word of correction and then God would have had to correct me some other way—perhaps in a way that would have been more embarrassing or painful. Begin to pray and ask God to help you receive correction from Him and to help you recognize when He is sending correction through others, knowing it is always for your good.
Prayer of the Day: Father, I come to you today, seeking Your guidance and Your loving correction. I know I am not perfect, and I ask You to help me recognize Your voice and to properly receive correction from You. Thank You for Your faithfulness and love. In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.