Holding Tight to the Promise

Scripture Focus: Acts 1:24-26; Proverbs 16:33
"And they prayed and said, 'You, Lord, who know the hearts of all men, show which one of these two You have chosen'... The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the Lord."

Cowboy Wisdom:
Don't spur the horse till God says ride. I've seen too many cowboys get hurt because they couldn't wait for the right moment. They'd spur a horse before it was properly saddled. They'd charge through a gate before it was fully open. They'd push cattle before the herd was ready to move. Every single time, it ended in disaster—broken equipment, injured animals, sometimes broken bones.

The disciples trusted God so completely that they believed He'd guide even the casting of lots. Think about that for a minute. They didn't try to manipulate the outcome. They didn't stack the deck in favor of the man they preferred. They prayed, then they let go, trusting that the same God who created the universe could handle two stones in a jar. That takes more faith than most of us can muster on our best day.

See, most of us pray and then immediately grab back the reins. We say "Lord, show me Your will," but we've already got our minds made up about what we want the answer to be. We ask for guidance and then spur the horse before God gives the signal because we're tired of waiting, because we think we know better, because impatience makes fools of us all.

But here's what every old-time cowboy knows: the horse knows when you're nervous. The horse feels when you're forcing it. And the horse will respond better to patient confidence than anxious urgency every single time. Hold tight to the promise. Trust the timing. And when God finally says "ride," you'll know it deep in your bones—and that's when you give it everything you've got.

Reflection:
The disciples obeyed, fellowshipped, prayed, studied the Word, and held tight to God's promise. When it came time to make a decision, they trusted Him completely with the outcome. Are you holding tight to God's promises, or are you trying to force your own timeline?

Daily Challenge:
Write down the promise God has given you (from Scripture or through prayer). Put it somewhere you'll see it daily. Every time doubt creeps in, read it aloud and choose to trust.
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Prayer Focus:
Lord, I confess I'm not always good at waiting. But I choose to trust You today. Give me peace when the timing is right and disturb my heart when I'm about to make the wrong move. I won't spur the horse until You say ride.