Pastor Johnnie's Devotional Archives
May 2004
May 3, 2004
Psalm 3:5 says: I lie down and sleep; I wake again, because the Lord sustains
me.
Peter was in prison, chained between two guards, with no human hope of
escape (Acts 12:5). And yet, the night before he was to go to trial, Peter
was sleeping. To fear the Lord means that I have a very secure fortress
in which to hide and rest (Proverbs 14:26). To dwell in a very secure
fortress means that, regardless of a packed ministry schedule, the bearing
of many daily burdens and other serious responsibilities which could keep
a person awake at night, He grants sleep to those He loves (Psalm 127:2).
It means that sleep will be sweet (Proverbs 3:24) because the Lord sustains
me (Psalm 4:8); He has preserved my life another day; He has kept my feet
from slipping (Psalm 66:9).
What a glorious testimony of God's indescribable grace every authentic
child of God has: You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in You,
whose thoughts are fixed on You! (Isaiah 26:3).
Thank You, gentle Father, for the sleep with which we are blessed
on a daily basis, regardless of the seriousness of our lives. Truly You
do sustain us with Your love and protection, for which we are eternally
grateful! Amen.
May 6, 2004
Psalm 66:12 You let men ride over our heads; we went through fire and
water, but you brought us to a place of abundance.
We're singing a new worship song these days. It says, I'm coming back
to the heart of worship; it's all about YOU, Jesus. It's pretty difficult
for us humans to have the perspective of God. For example, if worship
is all about Him, shouldn't the rest of life also be about Him? It's not
the fact that someone may take unfair advantage of me or persecute me
or distrust me or just walk all over me. The issue is not that I'm in
famine in the first place; or how come He's allowing so much suffering
and pain in my life. It's just not about me. And, down deep inside, we
humans don't like that; we feel cheated; lied to; given a bum rap, so
to speak.
Life and worship is all about the Lord, and how He keeps me alive IN famine
that I may be going through (Psalm 33:19); or how He lifts me OUT of the
slimy pit, the mud, and the mire of difficulty I may be in (Psalm 40:2,
3); or how He puts a spirit of perseverance in the heart DURING suffering
which He may allow in my life (like Job - James 5:11); or how, in His
inexplicable grace, He allows 'bad things' to happen THROUGHOUT life (Lazarus:
Luke 16:25), only to grant me unbelievable comfort later on.
Thank You, Father, that You have indeed brought us into and through
abundant and varied experiences. And, You have blessed us with the needed
confidence that You do all things well, with the goal that we might be
for the praise of Your glory (Ephesians 1:12). We love You! Amen.
May 10, 2004
Psalm 10:1 says, Why, O Lord, do you stand far off? Why do you hide yourself
in times of trouble?
I'm still learning that to question the timing of God is almost as frustrating
as the question put before us in today's verse. Our God is in heaven;
He does whatever pleases Him (Psalm 115:3). And, from our overall knowledge
of scripture, we could add: and He does it whenever He pleases. The list
of the arrogant attitudes and deeds of the wicked which the Psalmist gives
in this chapter, are enough to get someone riled up against the Lord,
if we didn't know Him personally and/or if we limited our search for understanding
to what little we already know of His grace and faithfulness. We may wonder,
Why does the wicked man revile God [and get away with so much?!] (verse
13)? In other words, why does God allow so much latitude to the wicked,
especially when it comes to their dealings with the righteous? Why does
He let them go on thinking they're not ultimately accountable to Him?!
Thankfully, the voice of deeper reasoning of faith comes through clearly
at the end of the Psalm: O Lord, You (do) hear the desire of the afflicted;
You (do) encourage them, and You (do) listen to their cry, defending the
fatherless and the oppressed, in order that man, who is of the earth,
may (ultimately) terrify (the righteous) no more (verses 17, 18).
Thank You, sovereign God, for the reminder that Your timing is better
than mine, and that in the end, Your holy purposes will not be thwarted,
either by the wicked or by my wishing that You'd do things sooner or 'better'!
I love You, merciful God! Amen.
May 12, 2004
Psalm 12:8 says: The wicked freely strut about when what is vile is honored
among men.
The father of the wicked, Satan, has not held to the truth from the beginning
(John 8:44). The impact his lies have had on society is very obvious today
(Proverbs 29:12). We have a generation of reprobates: what is evil is
considered to be good; what is good is considered to be evil. The vileness
which used to be talked or joked about in secret is now openly and arrogantly
flaunted. And, contemptible people who have "not been given the honor
of royalty" are often leaders (Daniel 11:21), freely strutting their
stuff, accepting the accolades of equally vile followers, all of whom
are intent on the pursuit and propagation of as much vileness as possible.
Praise God there will come a time when a King will rule in righteousness.
No longer will the fool be called noble nor the scoundrel be highly respected
(Isaiah 32:4-6). Meanwhile, may we who are His righteous ones, intended
to be lights in this sin-darkened world, shine in such a way as to continually
be penetrating the darkness around us for the glory of God!
Father of holiness, the vileness around us would impact our lives,
too, if we did not walk in the light through the power of the Holy Spirit.
Continue to strengthen us that we might honor and propagate righteousness,
even unto death, until Jesus comes! Amen.
May 15, 2004
Psalm 15:1 Lord, who may dwell in your sanctuary? Who may live on your
holy hill?
There is growing concern among evangelical leaders that God's people are
gradually losing a sense of the holiness of God. The longing for personal
gratification and contentment seems increasingly more important than the
desire to dwell in His presence (Psalm 61:4) and to be conformed to His
likeness. With the emphasis on doing our own thing, there is always the
danger of 'profane' (disobedient, self-consumed) people (even Christians!)
profaning the great and holy name of the Lord (Leviticus 22:31-32). We
need to get back to priority living (Psalm 27:4), where self-focus is
swallowed up by personal saturation with His presence and His holiness;
where we are firmly planted and flourishing in holiness (Psalm 92:12-15);
where from us flows continual praise for His goodness; where our lives
continually reflect His presence and His continual input (Psalm 84:4).
Father in heaven, so move in our hearts that we think not of ourselves,
but of You. To that end, may we have an increased longing to live in Your
presence and to be holy as You are holy. For Jesus' sake, Amen.
May 17, 2004
Psalm 17:3 says: Though you probe my heart and examine me at night, though
you test me, you will find nothing; I have resolved that my mouth will
not sin.
In this independent day in which we live, it's a gutsy move to actually
invite the Lord not only to examine our hearts and test our thinking processes,
but to probe way beyond the surface as well: to lift the veil of deceit
that is such a part of my sinful nature; to see/hear beyond my plastic
smiles and my words and to discern what is really going on in my heart;
to run all the tests needed to verify that the words of my mouth and the
thoughts of my heart are truly acceptable to Him; that my mouth is not
sinning by speaking dangerous and harmful stuff; stuff that I determine
is sensational: ear-tickling and attention-getting; stuff that my sinful
heart is so prone to glob on to; stuff that, were the truth to be fully
know, I may be unwilling to submit to His close, internal probing.
With all of my daytime busyness, night time may be the only time He can
find me quiet enough to ask me to consider a wiser use of my mouth, and
to seek from me a deeper resolution from my heart that my mouth will not
sin.
Probing but gracious Father, teach me and my fellow Christians to
watch our ways and to keep our tongues from sin. Help us to put a muzzle
on our mouths (Psalm 39:1) that we may walk more humbly before You and
the watching world around us. For Jesus' sake, Amen.
May 19, 2004
Psalm 19:12 follows up a powerful series of verses which describe the
unbelievable effectiveness of the Word of God in our lives. To challenge
me to apply that Word to my every day life, the Spirit of God, through
David, asks a probing question: Who can discern his errors? Forgive my
hidden faults.
Faithful application of the Word of God stimulates me, reviving my soul
(verse 7a). It supervises my simple mind and heart and makes me wise (verse
7b). It's often difficult but ultimately satisfying message brings joy
to my (needy) heart (verse 8a). In other words, the Word of God, when
faithfully believed and applied, accomplishes God's perfect work in my
heart and life. Sin blinds me (Psalm 40:12) and would sweep me away from
wisdom and understanding (Isaiah 64:6). But the Word of God shines the
light on what needs to be revealed; though, admittedly, it may make me
uncomfortable with my need to confess. I have the ability, through the
Spirit of God, to discern my errors and hidden faults, but my will needs
the faithful ministry of the Word of God to bring me to that point of
humility and confession.
If You, holy Father, kept a record of sins, who could stand? But with
you there is forgiveness (Psalm 130:3-4). For Jesus' sake, for the sake
of spouses, children, fellow workers, close friends, and entire church
families, forgive our hidden faults. Amen.
May 21, 2004
Psalm 21:1 says: O Lord, the king rejoices in your strength. How great
is his joy in the victories you give.
Any earthly king could rejoice in his own strength or boast of the victories
his armies have won through his own leadership or through his own military
prowess. Some, for sure, do trust in chariots and horses (Psalm 20:7),
physical strength, education, or a host of other things. The wise king,
however, who knows anything at all about the power and supreme sovereign
authority of God, will rejoice in God's strength, and quickly recognize
that victory always rests with the Lord (Proverbs 21:31). He knows that
he is not saved by the size of his army or other related 'strengths' (Psalm
33:16-18). He knows, rather, that the Lord delights in those who fear
Him and who put their hope in His unfailing love (Psalm 147:11).
Father, we love You. We have put our trust in You. We rejoice not
in our own strength or wisdom, but in Your strength. We are quick to acknowledge
that any victory comes not because we have been wise or prudent but because
of Your input on our behalf. Let us always be willing to give You the
glory in all things. Amen.
May 24, 2004
In Psalm 24:3, David asks a very provocative question: Who may ascend
the hill of the Lord? Who may stand in his holy place?
Is anyone spiritually capable of standing in the presence of the Lord
on his/her own? Of course not. David knew mankind's propensity to 'errors',
'hidden faults', and 'willful sins' (Psalm 19:12-13). A quick review of
his own life will reveal an understanding of the New Testament truth of
his spiritual powerlessness apart from divine input. That is, he understood
his 'ungodliness' (Romans 5:6) and the need for divine
cleansing (Psalm 51). He understood the need for a sin sacrifice; while
we were still sinners. [The word used means 'sinful', 'especially wicked']
(Romans 5:8). He understood the 'enmity' (Romans 5:10) that was between
sinful man and God as He pled with God to; hide your face from my sins;
(Psalm 51:9). Thank God that though we were dead and utterly useless in
our sins, yet by His grace, He has raised us to newness of life through
faith in Christ (Ephesians 2:1, 6). In His righteousness we stand. Because
of His righteousness, we ascend the hill of the Lord or stand in His presence,
holy, blameless, accepted in the beloved Son (Ephesians 1:3-7).
Thank You, Holy Father, for our exalted position in Christ. Thank
You that You have raised us up with Christ and seated us with Him. Thank
You that Christ is our righteousness and that in Him we stand! Amen.
May 26, 2004
Psalm 26:3....your love is ever before me, and I walk continually in your
truth.
The previous two verses reveal that verse three is a motivating factor
for walking in holiness before the Lord. The question may be asked by
a Christian: Why should I walk in holiness? Why should I walk in truth?
The answer is very basic: because His love, mercy, and grace are ever
before you, in every area of your life. And, after all He's done - or
is doing - for you, how could you do less than give Him your best and
live for Him completely? Just as righteousness prepares the way for His
steps (Psalm 85:13), so in righteous love, He prepares the way for our
steps, with the goal in mind that we faithfully and consistently walk
in His truth. So, for example, He gives us ample opportunity to show mercy
to others just as He would (Luke 6:36). Just as His love for us compelled
Him to sacrifice Himself for us, so that same love compels us (i.e. preoccupies
our hearts and minds with a single purpose) to live sacrificially for
Him (II Corinthians 5:14). Just as His forgiveness has been so very great
toward us, so it will quickly and continually flow through us to others
(Ephesians 4:32). In short, as imitators of God (Ephesians 5:1), by His
grace, we will walk continually in His truth.
Father, forgive my carelessness in not seeing Your love and the innumerable
reminders of Your grace all around me, all the time! For Jesus' sake,
I long to walk before You in truth. Amen.
Memorial Day, May 31, 2004
Psalm 30:11 You turned my wailing into dancing. You removed my sackcloth
and clothed me with joy.
When we enter the presence of God in prayer, it is good to take the time
to review with Him the works of His grace in our lives. Too often, our
prayers focus primarily on His power and pleasure in providing 'what we
want or need'. We too soon forget that He has been faithfully meeting
us where we're at, caring for us, and providing for us all along; and,
it would do our weak hearts spiritually good to continually 'review' that
goodness. How many times He has wiped away tears of repentance or removed
the disgrace of sin through our confession (Isaiah 25:8)! How many times,
when our hearts were in anguish, and fear and trembling would have overwhelmed
us, have we cast our cares on the Lord and experienced His sustenance
and support as we trusted in Him (Psalm 55:22-23)! He delights in turning
our wailing into dancing. It brings joy to His heart to clothe us with
His joy!
We praise You, Father, for Your unfailing love, Your faithfulness,
Your mercy, and Your continual intervention in our lives. Truly, You alone
are worthy of praise. So, may Your praise continually be on our lips.
And, may our hearts always be ready to review Your goodness which never
ceases! For the sake of Your name we pray. Amen.
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