Devotion for Monday, December 31, 2018

“We have sinned like our fathers, we have committed iniquity, we have behaved wickedly. Our fathers in Egypt did not understand Your wonders; they did not remember Your abundant kindnesses, but rebelled by the sea, at the Red Sea.” (Psalm 106:6-7)

 

Those generations are behind us, but we are just like them. We sin as they sin, for we do not trust the Lord and abide in His ways. We do not learn from those who would teach us, but continue in rebellion thinking we know more than we do. The Lord has come offering salvation that we may first be saved from our selves. Remember the Lord and all of His goodness that You may live as He created life to be lived.

Lord, You know this rebellion, for it repeats itself generation after generation. You have opened my eyes to see that I too am one who is rebellious. Lead me, O Lord, in the way of truth that I may walk according to Your Word and not according to the way of this rebellious world. May my heart be lifted up to see that Your way is the way of life and truth. Guide me by Your word into this way alone.

Lord Jesus, You are the way, truth and life and apart from You is the way of rebellion. Generations have come and gone, all rebelling against the truth. Help me lay down my arms of rebellion and humbly walk according to Your Word. Lead me now and always through the rebellion that is in my heart that I may be guided by Your gentle Spirit into life everlasting. Amen.




Devotion for Sunday, December 30, 2018

“How blessed are those who keep justice, who practice righteousness at all times! Remember me, O Lord, in Your favor toward Your people; visit me with Your salvation, that I may see the prosperity of Your chosen ones, that I may rejoice in the gladness of Your nation, that I may glory with Your inheritance.” (Psalm 106:3-5)

 

Lord, You have proclaimed what is right and just. In You alone is the hope of all people. You have commanded that those who walk in Your righteousness are to practice Your justice and mercy. It is not all things for all people, but that Your will be done. It is that we love You and one another. You have given us the basis for the ability to truly rejoice and it is in Your will and in Your way alone.

Lord, the world cries out and screams justice, yet often I see these words accompanied by grave injustice. Help me discern right from wrong that I may learn from You how to be just. Teach me how to practice righteousness that I may be righteous. Guide me into the promises the world cannot give because it continues its rebellion against You. Teach me Your love.

Jesus, You are the love of God which has been given for the sake of all who believe. In You alone, through whom all things have been given life is there hope for the future. Lead me this day along the path of righteousness for Your name’s sake that I may abide in You and You in me, and that I may praise Your name before others. May my works this day reflect Your righteousness and justice. Amen.




Devotion for Saturday, December 29, 2018

“Praise the Lord! Oh give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; for His lovingkindness is everlasting. Who can speak of the mighty deeds of the Lord, or can show forth all His praise?” (Psalm 106:1-2)

 

The Lord is always good. When you think something bad has happened and your thoughts blame the Lord, you are thinking that He is not good. All things work for good for those who love the Lord. Come into the Lord’s presence and know that He is always gracious and good and that He has already provided all that is needed. Give Him praise and thanksgiving at all times and in all places.

Lord, I do, even subtly, blame you for circumstances. Guide me away from selfishness to understand that I am in You and only in You will I find the joy for which You created me. Teach me the new way of thinking that understands by faith that all things have always been in Your hands and that You are making a new creation of all who come through Christ into Your presence.

Lord Jesus, You are making all things new for all who are coming through You by grace into eternity. Teach me this day a little more of the truth of Your presence and the Father’s purpose. Guide me, Holy Spirit, in the narrow way of sanctification that I may now and always live according to the purpose for which I have been created. Create in me a new and clean heart that praises and thanks You always. Amen.




Devotion for Friday, December 28, 2018

“He gave them also the lands of the nations, that they might take possession of the fruit of the peoples’ labor, so that they might keep His statutes and observe His laws, praise the Lord!” (Psalm 105:44-45)

What is it that the Lord has given you? Have you already forgotten His many benefits? All that is needed, the Lord has provided. Look through the Ten Commandments and you will see that there is nothing that you lack. Work this day knowing that the joy of the Lord has been given to you. He who knows you knows how to prosper you for the sake of eternity. Live and rejoice in His presence.

Lord, You know those places where I am stunted in growth and conditional in affection. Lead me through all that You have commanded that I may not covet what my neighbor has, nor think that I am not provided for by You. You are gracious and merciful. Bring me to the place of having a heart that is filled with gratitude and one that willingly does all that You have asked me to do.

In Your example, Lord Jesus, help me to walk this day. You have shown the way, truth and You are the life. Guide me to become like You that in all things I offer praise and thanksgiving to You. Help me today, O Lord, to do those things as Holy Spirit guides me, knowing that only in You and by grace can I walk faithfully. May I feel blessed this day and be a blessing to others. Amen.




Devotion for Thursday, December 27, 2018

“For He remembered His holy word with Abraham His servant; and He brought forth His people with joy, His chosen ones with a joyful shout.” (Psalm 105:42-43)

 

The Lord leads those who look to Him and they rejoice. Look to the Lord and know that His goodness shines through all things in this age. What we call good or bad pale when compared to the inexpressible joy and peace of the Lord which is a gift of grace to all who believe. The Lord has given His promises according to His will and according to His perfect plan. Come as one who believes; taste and see that He is good.

Holy Spirit, You know the depths of my heart and those places where I waver and do not trust. You know when I see circumstances contrary to my will; and that my faith is based more upon what I experience than the truth that You are with me always. As You led Abraham toward the promised land, lead me that I may now and always walk humbly under Your guidance and see more clearly the truth of eternity.

Lord Jesus, You know the way I need to go. You have provided that way; help me now to follow in the path You created. Guide me to rejoice in each day’s gift of life and to be one who thus rejoices by knowing that I am in Your eternal plans. Lead me today to be one who has joy in the truth, and lifts You up as the One in whom I trust. May I now and always abide in the faith You give. Amen.




Devotion for Wednesday, December 26, 2018

“They asked, and He brought quail, and satisfied them with the bread of heaven. He opened the rock and water flowed out; it ran in the dry places like a river.” (Psalm 105:40-41)

 

The Lord provides and there is enough for everyone. There are those in the world who take from others, but it does not mean that the Lord has not given His provision. No matter the circumstance, the Lord will lead a way through every valley and be with you on every mountaintop. He is the One who created all things and He knows all that is needed for every person.

Lord, bring me continuously into Your presence, especially when I wander away, that I may see and know that You are the One who has provided for all. Guide me in the truth of Your provision that I may always be thankful. Keep me from looking at what my neighbor has, lest I covet. Guide me in the humble path of looking to You, always knowing that You will provide our daily bread.

Lord Jesus, You have taught us to be thankful for what is provided. Lead me, O Lord, in the way You would have me go that I may now and always be thankful in every circumstance. You are the author and finisher of my faith and You know what is needed. Help me to be contented and thankful this day no matter what may come, for Your grace is more than sufficient for all of my needs. Amen.




Devotion for Tuesday, December 25, 2018

“Egypt was glad when they departed, for the dread of them had fallen upon them. He spread a cloud for a covering, and fire to illumine by night.” (Psalm 105:38-39)

 

The world does not like it when the Lord demonstrates His power. The dread comes upon them, but they soon forget. Pharaoh would soon chase after them only to see his army destroyed. The Lord is in charge of history and it will unfold according to His will. Trust in the One who holds all things in His hands. Know that He is the One Who will accomplish all that He has purposed.

Lord, I get caught up in the nonsense of this world. Help me now and always to understand that everything is in your hands. Whether the world is ignoring You or in dread because of what You have allowed, help me to see that it is You to whom I should look in all things. Lead me away from this world’s crazy way of thinking and acting to live in Your presence now and always.

Thank You, Lord Jesus, for coming and being a beacon of sanity in a world that is crazy. Thank You for leading the way for all who believe and follow in faith. Lead me this day into the Father’s presence to do those things You give me to do knowing that the world around me may well be doing things differently. Lift me up to be with You where You are that I may always abide in You. Amen.




Devotion for Monday, December 24, 2018

“He also struck down all the firstborn in their land, the first fruits of all their vigor. Then He brought them out with silver and gold, and among His tribes there was not one who stumbled.” (Psalm 105:36-37)

 

When contending with Pharaoh, Pharaoh thought the land was His and that he had absolute authority. No, it is God who has all authority. The Lord, for His own reasons, allowed the contention to commence. Fear not the one who can destroy the body only, but the One who created all things and can destroy body and soul. The Lord is the One to be worshiped and Him alone.

Lord, because of my conditionality, I am swayed by the seeming powers in this world. Who holds the power that is Yours but You alone. Teach me humility that I would walk humbly in Your sight, for You alone are God. Guide me in the way of life that You have established from the beginning. You alone preserve those whom You will preserve and You are the One worthy of all honor and worship.

Holy Spirit, lead my heart this day to live into the truth that no matter what happens in this life, You are there to lead me through every circumstance. Guide my thoughts and actions to look to You in all things and for all things. You know what is needed even before I ask. Guide my heart to live into the example of Jesus, knowing that in You alone do I have my hope and being. Amen.




Devotion for Sunday, December 23, 2018

“He struck down their vines also and their fig trees, and shattered the trees of their territory. He spoke, and locusts came, and young locusts, even without number, and ate up all vegetation in their land, and ate up the fruit of their ground.” (Psalm 105:33-35)

 

As wisdom teaches, the times and seasons are in God’s hands. He does provide, but He also takes away. Do not fear your circumstances, but the One in whose hands are all circumstances. Know that the God of creation is with all who come to Him and submit to His love and authority. He causes the grain to grow and takes it away in His time. Know that He will provide all that is needed.

Lord, I am so conditional in my life of faith. I place too much emphasis upon circumstance and not enough upon the truth that You are God. Lord, Help me see that only in You is there hope and a future. Only in You can I abide safely. In season and out of season, help me, Lord, to trust in You, for You alone govern all that exists. Apart from You is nothingness and no meaning. In You all things have their being.

Lord Jesus, You have taught us that only in You is there hope and a future. As I look back and see the martyrs, it causes me fear. What do I have to fear if You are with me? Guide me in the way of truth that no matter what may come in this life, there is nothing in all of creation that is able to separate us from the love You have given us by grace and lived through faith. Amen.




Devotion for Saturday, December 22, 2018

“He spoke, and there came a swarm of flies and gnats in all their territory. He gave them hail for rain, and flaming fire in their land.” (Psalm 105:31-32)

 

Do you not realize that the Lord speaks through His creation? The modern mind discounts these things as superstitious. But what is the claim of global warming but the same kind of belief, only with man as the cause? Is it not the Lord who controls His creation and He will do as He determined from the beginning? Do not look merely at what we mere mortals can do, but at what the Creator of the universe is doing.

Lord, help me to not get caught up in the thinking of men who reject You. Regardless of how or why things are the way they are, guide me to see in You alone the hope of glory. Lead me through the morass of this world to see that You alone have all authority and power. We may have our effects in this world, but it is You who controls the universe. Guide me into Your presence, O Lord, that I may abide with You.

Lord Jesus, You have told us that you have all authority and power. Keep this truth close to my heart that I would see through the liars and fakers to know that although we each have our part in events, it is You who governs the universe. May I learn to come into Your presence with humility, You are the God through whom all things have their being and in You alone is the promise of salvation. Amen.