Search my heart, O God

A Pregnancy Devotional

Isaiah 31:1 Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help, who rely on horses, who trust in the multitude of their chariots and in the great strength of their horsemen, but do not look to the Holy One of Israel, or seek help from the Lord

God was angry when the Israelites, threatened from the North, turned to the South for help. They figured the great strength of Egypt would save them from the armies of Assyria. But they were wrong. In the end they were exiled to Babylon.

There seems to be so many things to be concerned about while pregnant. Everyone tells you what can go wrong, and sometimes you are even convinced that it will. Faced with the realities of contractions, many women just want to give up. Where do you turn for strength?

There are magazines, television programs, web sites, doctors, friends and family, neighbors, strangers in the grocery store, books, pamphlets, and classes that will all vie for your attention. Which one will you trust in? Who can give you strength?

The truth is, you can only get strength from one source, and that is the Holy One of Israel. All the other "sources" we build for ourselves will prove to be as useless in our labors as the chariots and horsemen were in a battle with the Assyrians. Why? All the strength, knowledge and technology man can muster will never match the power and wisdom of God.

Go to God now in prayer, and ask Him to search your heart. Ask Him to reveal any chariots or horsemen you may have been trusting in, and ask him to turn your heart back to Him.

After spending some time meditating on this passage of scripture, you may enjoy working through a set of questions in the Communication Exercises section.

Related Topics: The Coach's Notebook explores more ways to prepare for childbirth with comfort measures and techniques you can use. Prepare your physical body for childbirth with exercise and nutrition. The Christian Childbirth Resource Directory lists websites, books and organizations all created to help you honor God through childbirth. Birthing Naturally Books publishes books to help you grow closer to God during this special time of life. Find other childbirth professionals near you in the Natural Childbirth Directory.

© Copyright 2000-2007 Jennifer VanderLaan and Birthing Naturally

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