'trust God' Tagged Posts
Daily Devotions
Do not put your trust in princes, in mortals, in whom there is no help. When their breath departs, they return to the earth; on that very day their plans perish.” vss. 3-4 Psalm 146:1-4 This psalmist obviously spoke from experience. He’d lived long enough to realize that princes, no matter how appealing their promises, had a limited life. They wouldn’t be around forever. Because of this reality the psalmist recommended that people put their trust in the Lord, the…
Daily Devotions
My sheep hear my voice. I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one will snatch them out of my hand.” vss. 27-28 John 10:25-30 Some of us know the hymn “Blessed Assurance” well. It was a favorite at camps and revivals and was regularly sung in many congregations. The tune is familiar and easy to sing, and many can recall its opening lyrics: “Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine, Oh what…
Daily Devotions
So the Jews gathered around him and said to him, ‘How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Messiah, tell us plainly.’” vs. 24 John 10:22-24 Jesus had gotten the attention of large numbers of people in the course of his ministry, and some believed him to be the messiah. But others, even those who had heard and seen the same things, wanted more proof. They had no patience with mystery and wanted a definitive word…
Daily Devotions
The Lord is my strength and my might; he has become my salvation.” vs. 14 Psalm 118:14-16 It’s fitting that a psalm of praise and triumph be assigned to this week following Easter, our great festival of life and resurrection. The psalmist, writing in celebration, loudly proclaims his trust in the Lord. Because of that strong faith he has come to see the Lord as his strength and his might, the source of his salvation. Typically we become conscious of that confidence…
Daily Devotions
In the last days it will be, God declares, that I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams.” vs. 17 Acts 2:14-21 From the disciples’ perspective what had happened with the outpouring of the Holy Spirit was unprecedented. All the old presuppositions about how God works in the world had been turned upside down, and from now…
Daily Devotions
To whom then will you compare me, or who is my equal? says the Holy One. Lift up your eyes on high and see: Who created these?” vss, 25-26a Isaiah 40:21-26 Isaiah couldn’t understand why the people of Israel were so quick to abandon their trust in God. They got all roiled up with their worries about kings and rulers, and acted as though everything depended on them. We see the same thing in our own world. Elections are happening…
Daily Devotions
Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, so that he may exalt you in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him, because he cares for you.” vss. 6-7 1 Peter 5:6-11 One of the frustrating things about the myriad of problems facing humanity is that there is little that any of us can do to fix anything. In general, all the ugly things plaguing the world are systemic issues, and it’s demonically difficult to change systems. And…
Daily Devotions
For this reason it depends on faith, in order that the promise may rest on grace and be guaranteed to all his descendants, not only to the adherents of the law but also to those who share the faith of Abraham…” vs. 16 Romans 4:13-17 Paul assures the Romans that the promise of God to Abraham rested on grace, and it was therefore guaranteed to all his descendants. This declaration has continued to be foundational for every following generation of…
Daily Devotions
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” vs. 13 Romans 15:7-13 One of the signs of God’s presence in our lives is the appearance of hope in the most unlikely times. Hope confounds us with its elusiveness. It comes and goes with maddening irregularity and resists our most determined manipulation. Paul tells us that hope has a connection with…
Daily Devotions
Be still, and know that I am God! I am exalted among the nations, I am exalted in the earth.” vs. 10 Psalm 46:7-11 It doesn’t take much to get really agitated on the eve of elections. We’re told by politicians of every stripe that disaster will surely come if their opponents win. We get emails and text messages every day saying that our contributions are sorely needed to stave off the last-minute attack ads that are proliferating in the…
Daily Devotions
For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things, and I regard them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but one that comes through faith in Christ…” vss. 8b-9a Philippians 3:8-9 Paul knew what it was like to have a righteousness that was based on the law. He had spent his entire life paying attention to the details…
Daily Devotions
For the insolent have risen against me, the ruthless seek my life; they do not set God before them. But surely, God is my helper; the Lord is the upholder of my life.” vss. 3-4 Psalm 54:1-4 Many are saying that these are the most divisive times they have experienced, and national polls bear that out. Some have become reluctant to share their ideas and opinions with those they do not know–they don’t want to offend, and it’s hard to…