Daily Devotion, September 7, 2022

 

Devotion:

Read Psalm 32.

I almost missed some of the richness of this Psalm. Dr. J. Clinton McCann, Jr.’s commentary on the Psalms writes, “Psalm 32 begins with two beatitudes that recall the beginning of the Psalter (in Psalm 1 and 2). By defining happiness in terms of forgiveness, Psalm 32 functions as an important check against any tendency to misunderstand Psalm 1. That is, to be righteous is not a matter of being sinless but a matter of being forgiven, of being open to God’s instruction and of trusting God rather than self.”

Too often we try to be righteous on our own and trust ourselves rather than placing our trust in God. But this Psalm brings the good news that God forgives!

The Apostle Paul echoes this understanding of being made righteous through God’s grace as he quotes Psalm 32 in Romans 4, “David says the same thing when he speaks of the blessedness of the one to whom God credits righteousness apart from works…”

Yes, this Psalm is considered a penitent Psalm and is read during the season of Lent. But it is not so much a present tense confession of sin. The Psalmist is reflecting on what it is like to live on the other side of God’s having forgiven him! He is giving witness to his new life on this side of being forgiven! “Blessed” and “Happy”, and The Message’s phrase, “Count yourself lucky” are translations which express this joy!

The Psalmist gives witness to God’s grace contrasting his life lived bearing the weight of sin and of hiding sin to now living in the joy and deliverance of God’s forgiveness!

We might ask which comes first, our confession of sin, or God’s forgiveness. Out of God’s love for humankind, it is God’s nature and initiative to be forgiving. God offers for us to be and live forgiven. It is a gift of God’s grace. Our confession of our sin transfers our trust in God rather than continuing to trust in ourselves. God’s unfailing love prevails! As verse 10 says, “Many are the woes of the wicked, but the Lord’s unfailing love surrounds the one who trusts in Him.”

Personal Worship Option:

Verse 7, “You are my hiding place; You will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance.” I acknowledge my sin of trusting in self and will trust in You. Amen.

Daily Devotion, September 6, 2022

 

Devotion:

Read Psalm 15.

Psalm 15 answers the question, “How does God expect me to live on earth?” It tells us how to live so that we will have a good relationship with God. We read ten descriptions that describe how to live.

Verse 2 shows us how to relate to others.

1. Live honestly
2. Practice righteousness
3. Be truthful

Verse 3 shows us how to speak to others.

1. Do not slander
2. Do no wrong to others
3. Do not discredit or slur others

Verse 4 shows us how to act to others.

1. Distinguish between good and evil
2. Honor those who respect God

Verse 5 shows us how to use money to love others.

1. Care for the poor
2. Do not accept bribes

God expects us to be like him. He is relational and acts with love and kindness to everyone. In order to be like God, we need to be honest, caring, and right in the way we relate to others.

Personal Worship Option:

Take another look at the ten characteristics in Psalm 15. How well do you exemplify each of them? Ask God to help you act with love and kindness to all so that you will grow closer to him.

Daily Devotion, September 5, 2022

 

Devotion:

Read Psalm 1.

The psalmist draws a powerful contrast in this brief passage. Palestine has many dry and rocky places where trees struggle to grow and produce. But along the Jordan and other rivers, trees put down roots into the life-giving water table and grow strong, producing the fruit they were created to produce. Contrasted with this powerfully rooted and productive tree is chaff, the dry and worthless husks that had covered the kernels of grain such as wheat and barley. Farmers tossed the grain and chaff together into the air, allowing the wind to blow the light, wispy chaff away and the clean kernels of grain to fall to the ground to be collected and used.

When we seek and reflect on God’s word, we develop deep spiritual roots that bring life-giving water to us. We are not so much protected or shielded from life’s troubles as we are given strength to endure them and even to keep right on yielding good results. But if we seek life in other things like popularity and wealth, material possessions, and the perfect social media image, we become like the chaff that the wind blows away. Life really is about choices, and we are called to choose the way of God daily.

Personal Worship Option:

Ask yourself today, “When am I like that tree planted by a stream of life-giving water, and when am I like the chaff the wind blows away?” Honestly reflect on that and then ask God to help you be rooted in God’s ways more and more.

Daily Devotion, September 4, 2022

 

Devotion:

Read Acts 10:34-37, 44-48.

The story in Acts 10 is one of those Bible passages that has had a profound impact on my journey of faith through the years. It is one that always reminds me that, no matter how much I may have learned about what it means to be a representative of Jesus Christ in the world, I still have more to learn. The Holy Spirit still has deeper lessons to teach me.

Peter had spent three years with Jesus, learning of his way. Jesus had taught the disciples that he was seeking to reach all people with his good news, including the Gentiles. Peter had heard the story of the Good Samaritan. He had witnessed Jesus relating to Roman soldiers and anybody else who would listen. And yet, Peter had not fully learned or accepted the understanding that God wanted to connect with the Gentiles as much as the Jews.

The Holy Spirit, who is God, is still just as available to you and me and everybody else today as in the days of the Bible. And this Spirit still has lessons to teach to us, if we are willing to listen and learn. If after spending three years with Jesus, Peter still had lessons to learn, I’m sure I do. How about you?

Personal Worship Option:

Consider offering this prayer today: Holy Spirit, help me to pay attention and learn the lessons you seek to teach me each day, so that I can better represent Jesus Christ to those around me and invite them to follow him.

Daily Devotion, September 3, 2022

 

Devotion:

Read Exodus 18:13-24.

We recently looked at this story with a focus on Jethro’s willingness to give what he had. This time, we focus on Moses being willing to learn something new. It is a great story of someone in a position of power being willing to accept teaching from someone else. And in this case, the person doing the teaching is his father-in-law! 

God had put Moses in charge of leading the Children of Israel out of Egypt. Though it was God’s power that brought them out, Moses was seen by all the people as the man who had this close relationship with God and had led them out of their many years of bondage. Surely he had been interviewed by all the major networks, as well as having articles published about him and his picture all over the internet. (Okay, maybe not that last part.)

And here comes his father-in-law with some advice on how he can do his job better. Can we agree that not everybody in the position Moses was in would be open to receiving advice and willing to change their way of operating? But Moses was willing. And it made a huge difference in his own well-being, as well as that of his people.

If we are open to learning, the Holy Spirit who is God is always seeking to teach us the way of Christ. Are you open?

Personal Worship Option:

That question reminds me of this prayer hymn written by Clara Scott (I will change a few words so it reads better in our time):

Open my eyes, that I may see glimpses of truth you have for me;

place in my hands the wonderful key that shall unclasp and set me free.

Open my ears, that I may hear voices of truth that you send clear;

and while the wavenotes fall on my ear, everything false will disappear.

Silently now I wait for you, ready my God, your will to see.

Open my eyes, illumine me, Spirit divine!

Daily Devotion, September 2, 2022

 

Devotion:

Read Luke 11:1-4.

The disciples seek to learn how to pray. Learning is what a disciple seeks to constantly do. To continue to learn is to be diligent in seeking knowledge, understanding and wisdom. Hebrews 11:6 says, “He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.” Diligent means to be relentless. Don’t be satisfied with the status quo of knowing Jesus and what that means to your life but to pursue Jesus himself.

Max Lucado reminds us that there is no greater gift than to be like Jesus. Jesus had no bad habits; God wants to remove yours. Jesus had no fear of death; God wants you to be fearless. Jesus had kindness for the hurting and mercy for the rebellious and courage for the challenges. God wants you to have the same.

He loves you just the way you are, but he refuses to leave you that way. He wants you to be just like Jesus. Embrace the quest of a relationship with Jesus with your whole heart.

Personal Worship Option:

Spend some time reflecting on your spiritual life. In what ways are you diligently seeking after God?

Daily Devotion, September 1, 2022

 

Devotion:

Read 1 Corinthians 2:12-16.

Sometimes it is difficult to talk about the duties of the Holy Spirit. Just like the wind, the Holy Spirit itself can’t be seen but rather is mysterious. We see evidence of the powerful presence, but we do not always understand it. The Holy Spirit lives within us, changing our hearts and desiring to guide us. When I was growing up in a Methodist Church the term Holy Ghost was used instead of the Holy Spirit. That always fascinated me and I didn’t know whether to be scared or comforted. I had two images of ghosts. One was Casper, the friendly ghost, and the other one was a deadly ghost that appeared in horror movies. I had trouble discerning where the Holy Spirit fit in. We sang the UMC doxology every week. The lyrics - “Praise God, from whom all blessings flow; praise him, all creatures here below; praise him above, ye heavenly host; praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.” Each time we sang it, I was aware that the Holy Ghost was the Spirit of Christ in us if we would allow it.

The Bible explains that we cannot understand the things of the Spirit because we are not always spiritually in tune. When we seek only material blessings, we miss the greatest blessing of all. When we study the Bible, pray constantly, and serve the way Jesus lived, we will feel the Holy Spirit at work.

Personal Worship Option:

Holy Spirit, we often misunderstand your presence in our own lives. Teach us to rely on your power for living and to follow where you lead. In the name of Jesus, Amen.