Guarded By God

There was a large stag - a red-coated deer - that roamed through the hills of Rome. No one ever came near it or tried to capture or kill it. Caesar protected it, and all were forbidden to disturb it. On its sides were the words, “Touch me not! I belong to Caesar.” It was a sign of ownership, and no one dared to harm or hurt that animal.

There is a far more important statement about ownership in Psalm 105. It is a statement about those who belong to God: “Do not touch My anointed ones.” 

Sometimes the words of God are overlooked by the children of God. This verse is a good example of an “overlooked” rule given by the Lord. Few of us will admit to having never spoken evil of a fellow Christian. But...

We often listen carefully while one “saint” criticizes or condemns another “saint.” We carefully listen to every detail when a fellow church member ridicules or runs down the person who sits next to us during the worship service. We do not see “for whom Christ cares” on the forehead of someone whose marriage is falling apart - so we anxiously listen to the sordid details of an unfaithful spouse.  We blame others for “bad parenting skills” when their children become addicts rather than grieve with them over their loss. We carelessly pass on rumors about the honesty of someone who has more than we do. The tongue can easily become a weapon of wickedness and ultimately destroy “the Lord’s anointed ones.” 

We must use our tongues to help, heal, and give hope, not hurt or harm!

Prayer:  Thank you Father for your love and protection. Help us to turn deaf ears to words that hurt or harm others. Rather, help us to speak words of kindness and show Your love to them! In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture For Today: Do not touch My anointed ones. Psalm105:15a 

Were you helped by today's devotional? Leave a comment and let us know!

Promises? No! Promises!

Years ago a firm handshake and a sincere look in the eye meant that “my word is my bond as long as I live.” No more questions were required, and no exceptions were included. “If I said it I meant it, and I will do it. I will not deny what I said nor will I offer any excuses if I fail!”

How different it is today. Contracts, warranties, and agreements are written with clauses that are vague, difficult to understand, and often need the interpretation of an attorney. Word of mouth promises rarely last longer than the time it takes to speak them.

How different it is with God. In Psalm 105 we are reminded of His faithfulness to Israel. If He said it He did it. If He promised something, there is proof in His Word that He made it happen. All of the promises He made have been fulfilled, and provide proof that “God is a Man of His Word.” This should give us courage for today and hope for the future.

Some Biblical scholars who have carefully researched His word have identified 3,000 promises in the Bible! Furthermore, all of them, except one – Christ’s second coming - has been fulfilled. And, we can be confident that He will fulfill that promise at the appointed time. If He said it, He did it – or, we know, will certainly do it! 

So, here are two great promises we can claim right now: First “The Lord is a stronghold in the day of trouble!” Whenever we can’t handle difficult things and horrible times, we have His unfailing word that He certainly can! We can claim this promise!

And, second: “If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in My name.” What a wonderful, never-ending, open-ended promise if we call on Him in faith and trust.

Prayer:  Thank you Lord for keeping your Word. Help us to claim Your promises and know that You will fulfill them. May we look to You, in faith, and believe! In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture For Today:  He always stands by his promise. Psalm 105:8a

Were you helped by today's devotional? Leave a comment and let us know!

Wonders And Miracles

Have you ever planted a seed in a jar, placed it in a window where the sun’s warmth and light were at work and watched in “wonder” as God brought life to that small “package?” Left in darkness, little, if anything, would have happened. But when the seed was placed in soil, nourished by the sun and the life-giving elements in the soil, its thirst quenched by water, a “miracle” took place. It “did” what God created it to do.

Some might question the difference between the words “wonder” and “miracle.” We often watch in awe when we do not understand what is going on around us. Sometimes things that “amaze” us are easily explained by someone who knows more than we do. Then, when we understand what happened, we may still be filled with wonder, but it is no longer a mystery. It’s like God’s love for us. We wonder “why” and “how” He loves us despite our flaws and faults until we know Jesus.

A miracle, however, is some event or action that cannot be explained. It is an extraordinary event that demonstrates God’s power. Without giving us any warning or making any announcement, He “invades what is going on” in our lives, and unpredictably changes things to let us know “who is in charge!” What has been, no longer is, and what will be cannot be predicted. These kinds of things were obvious in the journey of the Israelites: God unexpectedly saved and protected them. When this occurred, the Psalmist wrote, “Remember His miracles.” It was His love, mercy, and grace that saved them.

But what about His miracles in our lives? “By His grace, we can be saved.” Like the Israelites, He can save us, too. Now, that’s a miracle awaiting us we all can enjoy!

Prayer:  Thank You, Lord, for Your love, mercy, grace, salvation, and hope. May we never forget the miracles we have received, or those awaiting us! In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture For Today: Remember the wonders he has performed, his miracles, and the rulings he has given. Psalm 105:5 

Were you helped by today's devotional? Leave a comment and let us know!

His Strength

“Remember, don’t BLT,” said the surgeon. Of course, that got my attention immediately.

Then he explained, “Do not bend, lift or twist. If you do, you will damage or destroy the work that I did on your spine. You must ask for help from others if you want to heal properly. If you are seated, get help to stand. Do not lift anything that weighs more than five pounds – like a gallon of milk. And, turn your entire body rather than twist if you want to see someone or something that is to your left or right.” 

As I was wheeled from the hospital to begin the trip home, I could not imagine how different my life was going to be. Being dependent on others has always been difficult for me. But thinking of his orders and my false pride forced me to admit how often I had failed at one thing or another because I refused to ask someone for help or seek the counsel of others. Even God. Certainly, “pride does come before a fall.”

“Look to the Lord and His strength,” said the Psalmist. How easy it sounds but how difficult it is for many of us to do. God wants us to depend on Him, seek the help and counsel of others. If we don’t, the likelihood of failure looms large. Our strength is limited, but He is not. 

But there is something more to be learned here. When I come to the end of my strength and am unable to do what He has called me to do and ask others to help me, they share in my ministry. So, two things can happen: when I realize the blessings that can come from depending on others when they are willing and able to help me, they share His love by helping me. And, I can share my ministry with them!

Prayer:  Thank you Lord for Your ways, Your Word, and Your wisdom which are gifts we do not deserve but desperately need. May we willingly share them with others. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture For Today:  Look to the Lord and His strength; continually seek Him. Psalm 105:4 

Were you helped by today's devotional? Leave a comment and let us know!

Giving Thanks

Sometimes it seems as though we have more holidays and days to celebrate people and events than there are days on the calendar. But this month contains a national holiday that has special religious significance. This special day has been set aside for us to pause, ponder, praise, pray, and give thanks to God for His many blessings.  

Many families will gather together and share stories of God’s love, mercy, grace, and salvation. They will talk of God’s peace and presence in their lives, and tell of His goodness and guidance, hope and healing, power and protection. God’s generous blessings will be the most important topic of their discussions. He will be honored!

There will also be families where God will not be respected or mentioned. It is not that thanks will be absent, but God will not be recognized or respected as the giver of all gifts. They will focus on what they have, have accomplished or achieved - believing that they have “done it on my own.” They will not recognize His gifts.

Some families will resent the day because they feel short-changed or even forgotten by God. They have had trials too tragic to share and losses too great to describe. Their lives seem hopeless with nothing before them but darkness. The consequences of wrong choices have left them scarred for life. However, God still loves them!

But, everyone can join the Psalmist and say, “Praise the Lord and give Him thanks!” - Even those who feel hopeless and ungrateful. Why? This verse talks of His mercy which is always available to everyone: the humble, the proud, and the resentful.    

Prayer:  Thank you, Lord! You have given us so very much. Yet, we ask for and need one more thing: A thankful heart! Please fill our hearts with gratitude. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture For Today: Give thanks to the Lord and proclaim his greatness. Let the whole world know what he has done. Psalm 105:1 

Were you helped by today's devotional? Leave a comment and let us know!