Devotion Journal

It is only a faithful person who truly believes that God is sovereignly controls his circumstances. We take our circumstances for granted, saying God is in control, but not really believing it. We act as if the things that happend were completely controlled by people. To be faithful in every circumstance means that we have only one loyalty, or object of our faith - the Lord Jesus Christ. God may cause our circumstance to suddenly fall apart, which may bring the realization of our unfaithfulness to Him for not recognizing that He had ordained the situation. We never saw what He was trying to accomplish, and that exact event will never be repeated in our life…Oswald Chambers Oswald Chambers, My Utmost for His Highest

How about you and I? Do we believe that God is in control of all our circumstances. When everything is going our way it is easy to say God is good and in control. Yet when everything seems to fall apart do you and I really believe that. We often hear people say that God wants to make us rich, healthy, and whole. But do you believe that the Lord could allow your world to fall apart? You don’t hear many speaking about that but you do see it throughout the scriptures. Even today in the church abroad our brothers and sisters are facing some very dark moments.

There is a beautiful thing that can happen in times of crisis. We discover that the Lord is with us and we see Him as we never have before. In the book of Daniel the Hebrew boys were faced with a crisis. They were getting thrown into the furnace because of their faith and unwillingness to bow down. In the furnace the on lookers noticed someone else was in with them… it was the Lord Himself. The apostle Paul often wrote about the difficulties that He went through but He said He was convinced that nothing could separate Him from the Love of Christ. It truly isn’t until you enter into those dark times that you discover the Lord is with you.

I realize that none of us want to go through painful times. To be honest we don’t like to read things like this for fear that we will. Let me comfort you that when you find yourself there He will meet you in a way you never thought possible. And when you come through you will be “able to comfort them which are in trouble, by the comfort which you have been comforted by God.” (2 Corinthians 1:4 Paraphrased by Shawn) God will not leave you alone but will meet you in that time.

Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee. Isaiah 26:3

Throughout the scriptures we are instructed to cast all our cares upon the Lord.  Over and over again in the scriptures the Lord provides and acts in behalf of His people.  The passage in Isaiah promises us perfect peace if our minds are set upon the Lord.  The problem though is that most of us set our minds upon the issues we are facing.  The result of that is worry and anxiety.  In this passage we discover those who have peace are those who are trusting the Lord.  We are not promised that all our problems will go away.  It does mean that we can leave our issues with Him and trust that He will bring us through and meet our need. 

So today may you bring those issues to Him and allow Him to show Himself strong on your behalf.

And when evening was come, the ship was in the midst of the sea, and He alone on the land. And He saw them toiling in rowing; for the wind was contrary unto them: and about the fourth watch of the night he cometh unto them, walking upon the sea, and would have passed by them. But when they saw him walking upon the sea, they supposed it had been a spirit, and cried out: For they all saw him, and were troubled. And immediately he talked with them, and saith unto them, Be of good cheer: it is I; be not afraid. And He went up unto them into the ship; and the wind ceased: and they were sore amazed in themselves beyond measure, and wondered. For they considered not the miracle of the loaves: for their heart was hardened. Mark 6:47-52

Worn out, aching, and getting nowhere. That could describe what these disciples experienced as they made there way across the sea that night. Then it happened as they saw Jesus coming that fear entered the scene. They cried out thinking they had seen a spirit. Mark goes on to describe how Jesus immediately began to talk with them. Jesus goes on to tell them not to be afraid. What a wonderful picture of what the Lord will do for you and I. When troubling and even perplexing days enter our lives Jesus comes right to us. On our own we really can’t make ourselves be of good cheer. When fear knocks on our heart and enters like a wind we cannot just make it go away. Yet that’s where the Lord comes in. He will enter into that dark and windy night with you. Jesus was right there in the darkness of the wind and waves with that weary group of men. Unlike the disciples though, He was not overtaken by it. He will meet you and I and give us that peace and encouragement we need in those difficult times.

Unto thee lift I up mine eyes, O thou that dwellest in the heavens. Behold, as the eyes of servants look unto the hand of their masters, and as the eyes of a maiden unto the hand of her mistress; so our eyes wait upon the LORD our God, until that he have mercy upon us. Have mercy upon us, O LORD, have mercy upon us: for we are exceedingly filled with contempt. Our soul is exceedingly filled with the scorning of those that are at ease, and with the contempt of the proud. Psalm 123

In Psalm 123 we peer into the heart of the Psalmist. We see the intense desire of his heart for the Lord to intercede. The passage reveals his dependence upon the Lord and his assurance that the Lord will step in and answer his request. Just as the Psalmist set his eyes towards the Lord we also have the same wonderful opportunity. We are told to let our requests be made to Him. Jesus instructs us not to worry about our life but to seek first the kingdom. Paul would say to us to be anxious for nothing but to pray about everything. This doesn’t just mean to pick up the phone and ask the church to be praying for you. This means you look expectantly to the Lord and wait upon Him for the answer. I think the majority of us don’t take this opportunity to call out and wait upon the Lord. Because we fail to do that perhaps we are missing out, “you have not because you ask not.”

In this passage he gives the illustration of a servant looking to the hand of the master. The servant was aware of his need for the masters provision. So to in our case. We look to Him who “dwellest in the heavens” to meet our need. He has what we need and also the ability to give to us that which we need. So what is it that you lack? Whatever it may be He is waiting on you to make your request to Him. Turn to him and wait for His provision.

And all this assembly shall know that the LORD saveth not with sword and spear: for the battle is the LORD’s, and he will give you into our hands. 1 Samuel 17:47

Something the Lord would have us learn is to put our battles in His hands. It is true that our tendency is to take the battles of life into our own hands. What I have learned over the years is that when we take up the sword (figuratively speaking) and fight the battles on our own they only lead to death. The Lord wants us to bring the issues to Him and trust Him that He will solve the issue we are facing. Battles can come in a variety of ways. It can be an argument with your spouse, financial difficulties, issues with the kids, sickness, or whatever may present itself.

There is a verse in Psalm 118 that talks about trusting in the Lord and not in man. In my own life when the battle presents itself I am learning to take it to the Lord. Don’t get me wrong, I do continue to fail and try to fight on my own. When I do that the issues only seem to get worse. Doesn’t the scripture say if you live by the sword you will also die by the sword. Whenever I come to the place I finally surrender my anger and the issue over to the Lord the issue usually resolves itself. I have learned the Lord is faithful and will see us through any difficulty and problem that may knock on the doors of our life.

Let me encourage you today to bring your anger, frustration, uncertainty, and any other emotions that are ruling your heart to the Lord. Talk to the Lord about it and let Him work in the situation. He promises to walk with you all the way. And remember, vengeance is for the Lord and not for you. Let His peace rule your heart today.

In the book of Hebrews in the chapter known has the hall of faith the writer mentions, “from weakness were made strong.” This statement is encouraging to me. I am aware of my own weakness and my need for Him. It’s easy to become discouraged with our weakness and lack of ability. Yet it’s from weakness that the Lord can make one strong. The Lord is not looking for mighty men to use but willing men that will say yes to Him. It’s the weak things of this world that God chooses. In 1 Corinthians 1 Paul writes,

“God chose the foolish things of the world that he might put to shame those who are wise. God chose the weak things of the world, that he might put to shame the things that are strong; and God chose the lowly things of the world, and the things that are despised, and the things that are not, that he might bring to nothing the things that are: that no flesh should boast before God.” (1 Corinthians 1:27-29)

The beautiful thing about this is that He will get the Glory when the works are accomplished in us. He is the one who’s working in us to accomplish what He desires. In Ephesians Paul tells us that we are His workmanship. We are not our own works. The gifts that we have are something He has deposited in us. What good news this is. Not only have we been redeemed by Him, He now has begun a work in and through us. If you feel week and useless then remember you are a great candidate for the Lord. For it’s “from weakness” we are “made strong!”

Why Do The Nations Rage?

Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing? The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD, and against his anointed, saying, Let us break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us.Psalm 2:1-3

Why are the nations in an uproar? That was the question David asked in Psalm 2. I recently read that passage and felt it fit the days in which we live. Today we have conflicts and threats all around. Did David get an answer to his question? Yes he did. And he sheds light upon the Lord’s response for us readers.

He’s laughing at their threats! The Lord sitting on His throne is laughing at the threats that are being made. Not only is he laughing, it says He will speak to them in His anger. The world’s constant plotting, their injustice will soon be judged. Soon the Lord will return and set up His throne and will wipe away every tear. The Psalm is the first of the Messianic Psalms. According to Halley’s Bible handbook this Psalm speaks of the, Deity and universal reign of Christ. The Psalmist writes,

Yet have I set my king upon my holy hill of Zion. I will declare the decree: the LORD hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee. Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession. Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter’s vessel. Psalm 2:6-9

What nation is right? You may say, I’m proud to be an American but as believers we now belong to a new kingdom. A kingdom in which the Lord rules. It’s a new economy and a new way of life. No longer are we individual nations but we are one in Christ as believers. Currently we don’t see the completion of God’s plan but one day Christ will return to establish His throne. For now we get to share the good news of the Kingdom. We have seen the first part of the Lord’s ministry, that of a suffering servant and one day we will see the King coming in glory to establish an everlasting kingdom.

That is good news! We have a new King who is perfect. He has bore all our sins upon the cross and has taken the judgment upon Himself. We are now truly free citizens. Now Christ is on the throne in our own hearts. It’s a kingdom of love. We don’t fight with the sword but we fight upon our knees against rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.

Who’s the King? The king is Jesus. Upon the cross the title deed for the earth was purchased back. In essence He bought the world for what was in it, you and I. If you read through Revelation you will see Jesus as that King who one day will come again.

So do you feel a bit uncomfortable looking at what’s going on in this world? Take heart Christian, your redemption is nearer than when you first believed.

The heavens certainly do declare the glory of God.  Today I’m in North Carolina, a great break from the Florida heat.  This morning I enjoyed sitting on the porch with a nice breeze blowing, looking at beautiful flowers, trees, watching bees and hummingbirds.  As I read through Psalm 19 this morning I agree that creation does tell of an awesome God.  The diverse landscape, many various plants and flowers.  The beauty and complexity of it all tell me of a very creative, awesome, righteous, and beautiful God. 

I think it’s easy to try to put ourselves in places and areas to find life.  Many would escape into nature to try to experience God, to take in the surroundings and try to be filled.  Yet as beautiful and as perfect as the surroundings may be you will leave just as empty as before.  Remember, these things only tell us of a wonderful God.  If you want to be filled you have to look to the creator not the created. 

Jesus said that He is the bread of life, the living water, and the resurrection.  The right therapy and perfect surrounding will not fill but only leave us empty.  We need to go to the source to the one who made it all.  He alone can fill our empty hearts. 

So next time you are taking in the beauty of creation let it cause praise to well up in your heart for the creator of it.