“IF THEN”

Every Monday morning at work, I have to fill out a time sheet and assign my hours to certain job programs…this is all done using an Excel Spreadsheet. I input the hours and it keeps a running tally. If I “fat finger” a number or go over in a certain column, it turns red to alert me of an error.

How does it know that the workday must be “8” and not “88”? Is there a tiny genius in my computer inspecting my every keystroke for accuracy? Is he seated at a tiny desk next to the hamster on the wheel that keeps the whole system running?

No, the red alert happens because of a simple, non-rodent “IF THEN” command. Microsoft Excel allows you to tailor your spreadsheet with limits…and someone created our office TIMESLIP spreadsheet in this manner:

IF the regular time cell column exceeds 8 hours per day, THEN that column will turn red.

It never fails to turn red. It’s a law. You can’t avoid it, trick it, bypass it, distract it, or distort it. When I see red I have to scan my time slips and address the error, because it will not go away on its own.

Scripture is full of “IF THEN” commands which are programmed into creation…like the one in today’s verse: IF you delight yourself in the Lord, THEN He will give you the desires of your heart.

My desires have changed over time, as have my delights…some have been sinful and some have been pure. God promised that IF my heart finds joy, fulfillment, and happiness in Him…THEN my heart’s desire FOR HIM will be satisfied WITH HIM. I should be supremely content in Him.

So the question I ask myself is: IF Jesus Christ is my all in all, THEN what can this world really offer me? The answer comes easily, right? We all know the right answers…but the battle is real for every believer.

The word “delight” in this verse is a verb, and so we must actively find joy and fulfillment in the Lord, ignoring every tempting idol that’s been placed to derail our devotion to God. IF He promised that the results of our devotion would be great, THEN let’s get after it!