April 13, 2025 Devo

One of my favorite old movies is “Karate Kid.” Remember that one? Daniel LaRusso needs to learn karate to protect himself from a bunch of martial arts bullies who make it their goal to make his life miserable. So Daniel recruits Mr. Miyagi, his apartment maintenance man and karate master, to train him. The problem is that Daniel doesn’t understand Mr. Miyagi’s unconventional methods.
Instead of the usual martial arts training methods, Mr. Miyagi has Daniel do very ordinary chores like painting his fence, sanding his deck, and waxing his fleet of old cars. Remember, “Wax on, wax off”? Daniel thinks it’s all just a waste of time. He has no idea that the very specific movements that Mr. Miyagi has him use are the movements he needs in karate. He also struggles to understand the deeper lessons of balance, control, and humility. It’s only after many weeks of frustrating effort that Daniel has a breakthrough moment of seeing what Mr. Miyagi is up to. Daniel realizes he’s not wasting his time. He’ll become who he desires to become. But he has to learn to trust his master.
Doesn’t this sound just like what God asks of us? Take another look at our verse today. “For the word of the LORD holds true, and we can trust everything he does.” That’s not always easy, is it? Sometimes we have a hard time figuring out what God is up to. He takes us down certain paths and we have no idea why. He allows us to go through circumstances that are hard and painful, and we can’t see the lesson that He is teaching us in it, or we don’t see the character or strength that He is developing in us through it. Sometimes we ask Him for one thing, and He gives us another. The journey of submitting to God’s Lordship in our lives can be confusing and frustrating. But just like Mr. Miyagi, God has plans, purposes, and methods that are designed to help us become the people He has called us to be and the people we truly want to become.
Are you having a hard time understanding God today? Do you find yourself growing impatient or frustrated because God isn’t doing what you thought He would do or showing up in the ways you thought He should. Take a deep breath and re-read our verse for today. God’s Word is true. God’s ways are right. If you knew everything God knows you wouldn’t need His help. But you don’t. God may be unconventional at times, but He is always good, and He is always right. Stay faithful, stay committed, stay obedient, and trust Him. As crazy as it seems, that “Wax on, wax off” experience is just what you need. That’s God’s Word for you today.