Daily Devotions by Steve Holm (Page 35)
Daily Devotions
Do not cast me off in the time of old age; do not forsake me when my strength is spent.” vs. 9 Psalm 71:1-14 For a lot of folks, life can roll along pretty smoothly for a long time. Oh, there are the usual bumps and bruises, and maybe even a few detours along the way. But as the years pass, the usual pattern is followed: there’s perhaps marriage, maybe a couple of kids or more, a solid job with…
Daily Devotions
He will not cry or lift up his voice, or make it heard in the street; a bruised reed he will not break, and a dimly burning wick he will not quench; he will faithfully bring forth justice.” vss. 2-3 Isaiah 42:1-9 Isaiah’s descriptions of the Servant have been an inspiration to people of faith for centuries. While he likely intended them to refer to Israel’s mission and purpose as the called people of God, they obviously impacted Jesus’ understanding…
Daily Devotions
And about three o’clock Jesus cried with a loud voice, ‘Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?’ that is, ‘My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?’” vs. 46 Matthew 27:33-54 For some people, this saying of Jesus’ from the cross is arguably the most reassuring and hopeful thing that he ever said. For in these few words, Matthew lets us know that Jesus was fully human and at the tortuous end of his life felt totally alienated from God. He felt…
Daily Devotions
After mocking him, they stripped him of the robe and put his own clothes on him. Then they led him away to crucify him.” vs. 31 Matthew 27:26-32 Crucifixion, while seldom used to execute Roman citizens, was regularly used by Rome in occupied provinces to maintain order and punish criminals. Pilate’s soldiers would have been accustomed to the practice–for them it was all a part of their day’s work. And the more cruel their behavior, the better it was–they likely…
Daily Devotions
Then he asked, ‘Why, what evil has he done?’ But they shouted all the more, ‘Let him be crucified!’” vs. 23 Matthew 27:1-25 According to Matthew, the chief priests and the elders were not able to convince Pilate that Jesus deserved the death penalty. The case they had presented was full of half-truths and malicious gossip, and Pilate believed that they were motivated primarily by jealousy. But they had convinced the crowd, and ultimately that was enough. It’s still easy…
Daily Devotions
The crowds that went ahead of him and that followed were shouting, ‘Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest heaven!’” vs. 9 Matthew 21:1-11 Everyone loves a parade, and the crowd of pilgrims from Galilee who had gotten to know Jesus on the journey to Jerusalem for the Passover were no exception. When they moved down the steep slope from the Mount of Olives, through…
Daily Devotions
Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited, but emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, being born in human likeness.” vss. 5-7 Philippians 2:5-11 According to Paul those who wish to live a Christlike life will begin by emptying themselves, i.e., giving up on any notion of glory or grandeur and simply being the…
Daily Devotions
I have passed out of mind like one who is dead; I have become like a broken vessel… Let your face shine upon your servant; save me in your steadfast love.” vss. 12, 16 Psalm 31:9-16 As our lives continue through their varied stages, we are aware of death’s presence. Friends and family members pass away along with many acquaintances. If we live long enough we will have the opportunity to attend a significant number of funerals and memorial services.…
Daily Devotions
The Lord God helps me; therefore I have not been disgraced; therefore I have set my face like flint, and I know that I shall not be put to shame…” vs. 7 Isaiah 50:4-9a The prophet had been called by God to offer words of encouragement and comfort to the weary exiles in Babylon, and he had been a faithful servant. He had taught the people and listened to their laments and complaints day after day, and they did not…
Daily Devotions
Jesus said to her, ‘Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?’” vs. 40 John 11:33-41 Martha had confessed her faith in Jesus as the messiah, but she really didn’t have a clue about what a blessing that would ultimately be for her. Jesus was able to do for her far more than she had ever expected–she hadn’t dreamed that she would ever see her brother again. She had sold her faith…
Daily Devotions
When Mary came where Jesus was and saw him, she knelt at his feet and said to him, ‘Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.’” vs. 32 John 11:17-32 Mary reacted exactly as Martha had when she came out to greet Jesus. They had such great love and respect for him, and both believed that he could have laid hands on Lazarus and healed him. And both were deeply disappointed that he hadn’t come while…
Daily Devotions
But when Jesus heard it, he said, ‘This illness does not lead to death; rather it is for God’s glory, so that the Son of God may be glorified through it.’” vs. 4 John 11:1-15 In the Gospel of John, nothing seems to trouble Jesus. Every time a difficult situation came up, e.g. no wine, no bread, no water, paralysis, blindness, fatal illness, he saw it as an opportunity and believed that these were times when the glory of God…