Pastor Johnnie's Devotional Archives
August 2004
August 3, 2004
Psalm 33:1 is a good reminder - and challenge - for every authentic Christian:
Sing joyfully to the Lord, you righteous; it is fitting for the upright
to praise Him.
I guess it's each Christian's responsibility to determine how we will
sing to the Lord. 'Joyfully' seems to be the appropriate way, given all
He has done for us. It's 'fitting'; that is, it's 'suitable', 'beautiful',
'appropriate' to be characterized as those from whom emanates a constant
flow of joyful praise. Why? Because joyful praise is a fulfillment of
our vows to the Lord (Psalm 50:14). Joyful praise makes our utter dependence
upon Him obvious (Psalm 50:15). Joyful praise exposes the genuineness
of our heart motives to His discerning eye (Psalm 78:36). Joyful praise
reveals the authenticity of our fidelity to Him and to His Word (Psalm
78:37). Joyful praise brings unparalleled pleasantness to our hearts (Psalm
135:3). Our joyful praise pleases His heart (Proverbs 15:8). Because joyful
praise is a sign of an upright heart (Psalm 32:11). Because He's the One
Who made joyful praise within us possible in the first place (I Corinthians
1:30, 31).
Glorious Father, we may not be able to carry a tune from an earthly
point of view; but our genuine, joyful praise is communicated in 'perfect
pitch' to Your listening ear. Oh, how we love You! We worship You in joyful,
unfettered praise. Amen.
August 5, 2004
After David describes the loathsomeness of the mouth, the heart, the throat,
and the tongue of the enemies of God, he 'turns the corner' of emphasis
and focus by saying in Psalm 5:11: But let all who take refuge in you
be glad; let them ever sing for joy. Spread your protection over them,
that those who love your name may rejoice in you.
The enemy's brashness and boldness in defying God and opposing His people
is such that we frequently succumb to the desires of the flesh and delay
seeking, finding, and taking our refuge in the Lord. We proud humans are
good at trying to work things out ourselves first. So, we get caught up
in our feelings and try to think of ways we can 'get revenge'. We get
sidetracked conjuring up ways we can verbalize our anger. We way too quickly
'share our burden' with those whose counsel may or may not be biblical.
And, unfortunately, in our hesitance to go directly to the One Who has
promised ultimate vindication (Psalm 35:27) and salvation (Psalm 40:16),
we - instead! - seek for and find vast support for an abundance of unbiblical
responses, even among those who are Christians, who should know better!
When we finally do take appropriate biblical action and take refuge in
Him, it's like, Chuleta! I've been horsing around, wasting time and energy
trying to handle things on my own. I've really been out to lunch! Why
didn't I go the Lord long before now?! Believe me, the gladness of your
heart and the song you sing at this point will have a totally different
'sound' and focus to it, by God's grace!
Eternal Refuge, Your patience in putting up with my penchant to wander
all over the place, independent of You and Your ways, is profoundly humbling.
Teach me to more quickly take refuge in You, that I might more often experience
true joy and gladness of heart. For Jesus' sake, Amen.
August 7, 2004
Psalm 7:10 says: My shield is God Most High, who saves the upright in
heart.
As I read this, I'm reminded of a group of kids who are comparing fathers.
MY dad can do this. Well, MY dad is.... If we were to speak honestly about
those things or those people in whom we put our trust for protection or
help or guidance when it appears there isn't "an obvious NEED to
trust in the Lord right now because hey!, everything's going well for
me, etc., etc.", how long - or how revealing - would your list be?
Paul says that if we're going to boast, let's boast in the Lord. OK. Well,
David says, MY shield is not just IN the Most High God; my shield IS the
Most High God Himself. I think I'll give this a try.... Uh, He gives His
good Spirit to instruct me. He doesn't withhold manna from me. He gives
water to drink. He has so sustained me for many years that I've lacked
nothing (Nehemiah 9:20-21). He has never withheld His mercy from me. His
love and truth have always protected me (Psalm 40:11). He has consistently
bestowed favor and honor on me (all undeserved, of course!). As a matter
of fact, as I've walked openly and honestly before Him, He's never withheld
ANY good thing from me: compared to the choices I'm prone to make, it's
always been better, best, and very pleasing! (Psalm 84:11). Hmmm. I should
think this way more often!
O God Most High, I agree with the sons of Korah: O Lord Almighty,
blessed is the person who trusts in You (Psalm 84:12).
August 9, 2004
Psalm 9:7: The Lord reigns forever; he has established his throne for
judgment.
Here we are again in the throes of the political process. (I'm liking
it less and less the older I get!) Do you ever wonder, "Where have
some of these guys been (between elections) when their strong, political
rhetoric was really needed to make the nation stronger? Why should we
expect that a dismal voting record and a long-term reckless, God-absent
life example should suddenly work change for the 'better' of the nation?
Even less if that record and other videotaped, fired up comments have,
in one way or another, contributed to the moral and political decline
of the nation!"
Aren't you glad there is One Ruler Who reigns forever? Whose moral standard
never changes? Whose judgment doesn't fluctuate according to the direction
of the political wind, but is always 'perfect'? Who doesn't speak with
a 'forked tongue'? I'm glad for Job's reminder: God drags away the mighty
by his power (all riiight!); though they become established (I was afraid
of that, Lord!), they have no assurance of life (that's better!). He may
let them rest in a feeling of security (oh, not for too long, Lord!),
but his eyes are on their ways (Yes!). For a little while they are exalted
(I was afraid of that!), and then they are gone (Oh, ok.); they are brought
low and gathered up like all others; they are cut off like heads of grain
(at last!) (Job 24:22-24).
Forever Reigning Lord, You know my political emotions go up and down.
Over these next months, keep me steady and prayerful in the assurance
that the Real Ruler reigns forever! Amen.
August 11, 2004
Psalm 111:2 Great are the works of the Lord; they are pondered by all
who delight in them.
There is always the danger of such preoccupation with self, personal prejudices,
and preconceived notions, that we keep ourselves from seeing what we ought
to see as Christians. A genuine delight in the Lord will be accompanied
by high and holy thoughts of Him. Whom did the Lord consult to enlighten
him, and who taught him the right way? Who was it that taught him knowledge
or showed him the path of understanding? Who else ('beside the Lord' is
clearly understood here!) has held the oceans in his hand (say what??!)?
Who else knows the weight of the earth (are you kidding me?) or has weighed
out the mountains and the hills (chuleta!)? Who knows enough to be his
teacher or counselor? Has the Lord ever needed anyone's advice? Does he
need instruction about what is good or what is best? (Isaiah 40:12-14
NLT)
We're not talking about pontification here. We're talking about pondering
and being overwhelmed by the greatness of the One in Whom we find absolute
and unparalleled delight! I sincerely hope you have a delightful day,
full of pondering His greatness!
O Lord, what great miracles You do! How deep are Your thoughts. Accept
our praise and our worship as we delight in You and in Your greatness!
Amen.
August 13, 2004
Whether it is the threat of a hurricane or the presence of a difficult,
trying experience in our lives, Psalm 13:5 is always appropriate: I trust
in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation.
The peace which comes from trust in the Lord brings a confidence and a
sense of security which far outweighs the immediate, expected, or feared
circumstances of life. Imagine: His mercy is unfailing (Psalm 33:18).
His mercy surrounds us (Psalm 32:10). His mercy rests upon us (Psalm 33:22).
So, Isaiah says (12:2), I will trust and not be afraid. The Lord has become
my (very unusual) Strength, enabling me to submit to the trials of life
and to the tests of faith. Of all the songs that have passed through my
mental processes, He has become the Central Theme. And when the eye of
the hurricane has finally passed, He has become my salvation. No wonder
David calls God's mercy 'priceless' (Psalm 36:7)! And, from the parental,
overseeing side of things, no wonder the Lord delights in those who fear
him, who put their hope in his unfailing love (Psalm 147:11)!
Peace-giving Father, in every trial, test, and circumstance of life
we are honored to join our hearts with Mary's. Today, right now, our soul
glorifies the Lord and our spirit rejoices in God our Savior (Luke 1:47).
Accomplish Your holy purpose today in the lives of our Christian brothers
and sisters and unsaved friends in Florida and around the world as we
all face trials of many kinds. For Jesus' sake, Amen.
August 15, 2004
Psalm 115:14 is a wonderful blessing: May the Lord give you (make you)
increase, you and your children!
This year, we have planted two kinds of tomatoes in half of our small
garden, and in the other half we planted sweet corn. Putting that small
seed of corn into the ground, watering it, watching the miracle of growth,
and waiting for the sweet sight of 'corn on the cob' is a wonderful experience.
I'm already thinking: I want more of this! To have something 'good' and
to want much more of the same, is a principle not conjured up and birthed
by man, but by God Himself. When the Creator reflected on all He had made,
including man, He saw that it was 'good' (beautiful - fine - best - sweet
- pleasant). And to all of creation He gave the privilege of being fruitful
and multiplying.
"You reproduce what you are", or 'after your kind' was such
a naturally 'frightening' thought to Ruth and me that when God was still
carefully forming and meticulously growing our children in the womb, we
began to pray that, at the appropriate age, they would have a hunger for
the Word of God; we continually, often with tears, expressed our desire
that, from the earliest age, they might walk with the Lord and please
Him; we sought His protection over and input on behalf of those whom they
would some day marry; etc. etc. We have continued to pray for this kind
of 'increase' for our grandsons as well.
Lord of glory, make us to increase numerically. But, more importantly,
make us to increase spiritually, that Your glory may be spread to the
ends of the earth! Amen.
August 17, 2004
Psalm 17:8 Keep me as the apple of your eye; hide me in the shadow of
your wings.
If you've ever been in anything close to a sand storm, you'll remember
how you instinctively closed your eyes, or covered them, or put goggles
on to protect them. The pupil, or the 'apple' of the eye may be the most
sensitive part of the body and thus the part needing the most protection.
The tiniest speck of sand can impair vision and shut you down.
The 'apple of the eye' is an idiomatic expression, found also in Deuteronomy
32, which means 'the little one of the daughter of your eye'. Matthew
Henry reminds us that David's prayer is both a prediction of the preservation
of Christ through all the hardships and difficulties of His humiliation,
and a pattern to Christians to commit the keeping of their souls to God,
trusting Him to preserve them (until they get) to His heavenly kingdom.
To pray this prayer and humbly practice the principle of what David is
praying, is to seek the Ultimate Shelter or hide one's self in the protective
shadow of His gracious wings (Psalm 36:7).
Gentle, protective Father, concerning Your people the Prophet Zechariah
(2:8) said: "whoever touches you touches the apple of his eye"!
Grant us the faith to humbly and courageously walk in the reality of that
truth today, by Your grace. Amen.
August 20, 2004
Psalm 20:7-8 gives a powerful reminder and a challenge: Some trust in
chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our
God. They are brought to their knees and fall, but we rise up and stand
firm.
To trust in well-designed plans which promise to take us safely, quickly,
comfortably,
or far (usually as quickly, as effortlessly, and as painlessly as possible);
to place one's firm reliance or dependence upon education, personality,
giftedness, largesse, physical expertise, verbal skill, or mental proficiency
(just to name a few) is to miss the ultimate purpose for our needing those
gifts/skills in the first place: to surrender them to the authority (name),
discretion, will, and use of their Giver so as to bring maximum glory
to Him and accomplish His holy purposes through us. Only under those safe
conditions - trusting in the name of the Lord our God - can we hope for
spiritual stability. Thus, the Lord, through the prophet Jeremiah (17:5),
warns us: Cursed is the one who trusts in man, who depends on flesh for
his strength. In other words, to do so is a highly risky move, because,
down through the centuries, the pathways of life are strewn with the fallen
examples of those whose hearts turn away from the Lord in such a way!
Isaiah says it this way (31:1): Woe to those who go down to Egypt for
help, who rely on horses, who trust in the multitude of their chariots
and in the great strength of their horsemen, but do not look to the Holy
One of Israel, or seek help from the Lord.
Father, forgive us our arrogance. Deal the death blow to the pride
in us which leads to the false assumption that we are 'something' and
don't really need You. Amen.
August 30, 2004
Psalm 130:1-4 says: Out of the depths I cry to you, O Lord; O Lord, hear
my voice. Let your ears be attentive to my cry for mercy. If you, O Lord,
kept a record of sins, O Lord, who could stand? But with you there is
forgiveness; therefore you are feared.
Imagine the impact on millions and millions of Christians, homes, entire
families, and our worship if these few words were sincerely prayed on
the way to church each Sunday. Imagine the love and forgiveness and brokenness
and rich fellowship which would flow through congregations, and the resultant
desire to spread that spirit of worship to others around us throughout
the other six days of the week. Imagine what any church would be like
if every Christian present truly understood and practically grasped the
glorious redemption 'process' which can only be likened to the riches
of God's grace being lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding
(Ephesians 1:7,8). It was not 'selfish' (as we understand selfishness)
when God Himself said: I am he who blots out your transgressions, for
my own sake, and remembers your sins no more (Isaiah 43:25). So, for His
sake, may the reality of sins forgiven so grip us that, in the power and
beauty of His great grace, we might reflect Him today in our words, our
thoughts, our actions, and our attitudes.
Merciful Father, remove the unholy wax from our ears,
the scales from our eyes, and the hardened crust covering our hearts,
so that our lives, our worship, and our fellowship here on earth might
be unhindered and bring joy to Your heart. Amen.
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