Pastor Johnnie's Devotional Archives
October 2005
October 2, 2005
Psalm 131:1-2 "My heart is not proud, O Lord, my eyes are not haughty;
I do not concern myself with great matters or things too wonderful for
me. But I have stilled and quieted my soul; like a weaned child with its
mother, like a weaned child is my soul within me."
Deep within the soul of every human being is the capacity to experience
the restless rumblings of self-aggrandizement. And, the spirit of the
day in which we live does not help! To project and promote one's self
is to achieve the attention and foster the life advancement of which we
feel so deserving. To be 'stilled' and 'quieted' before the Lord, satisfied
with Him alone and caring more about godly advancement in life and thought
versus a constant "what will other people think of me?" mentality,
even for mature Christians, is difficult.
Am I tempted to reflect on inflated ideas of my own importance? Or, is
there a proneness within my sinful heart to communicate some 'great' information
about myself so that others will think more highly of me (Romans 12:3)?
In other words, do I struggle with the pride of life? You bet! The identity
hungry world around us is not so interested in quieted, stilled, weaned
children as they are in those who busily concern themselves with personal
advancement and accomplishment or of great matters or things too wonderful
for them.
To be 'quieted' before the Lord is to rest from that struggle. It is to
hold our peace, to be silent, to actually keep silence when even in the
presence of the Lord we would arrogantly entertain elevated thoughts of
ourselves. When those spiritually unhealthy 'voices' within me are thus
silenced, I am able to focus on Him Who alone should have all the preeminence!
Forgive the oft feeding of the bent of my heart toward pride and self-promotion,
Father. Teach me to quiet my soul before You so that my focus is entirely
upon You, the sweet Lover of my soul! Amen.
October 5, 2005
Psalm 65:9 is intriguing: "You care for the land and water it; you
enrich it abundantly. The streams of God are filled with water to provide
the people with grain, for so you have ordained it."
The path of faith for the authentic Christian is full of fascinating challenges.
On one hand, a basic tenet of our faith is that we firmly believe with
understanding that "the universe was formed at God's command, so
that what is seen was not made out of what was visible" (Hebrews
11:3). Emanating from that profound truth is the corresponding sweet belief
that this awesome God has given the streams of water to the earth which
in turn furnish sustenance for the seed we humans plant from year to year,
which in turn renders food for us through which our continued existence
for His glory is secured. Our faith 'understands' that God has so ordained
it! End of story. No. Actually, now come further tests of our faith and
understanding.
If I believe the previous statements regarding His intricate care of me
with the smallest seed of genuine 'understanding', then I also have solid
ground upon which to 'understand' the purposes of God for me through the
circumstances of life; that is, if I am willing to continue my journey
of faith trusting God and not dictating to Him or seek to be governing
my own little kingdom. True, the many voices within me, and the voices
of 'friends' or 'comforters' around me may contribute more to doubt or
confusion than to understanding; nonetheless, I stand on God's solid foundation,
which is sealed with this inscription: "The Lord knows those who
are his," and, "Everyone who confesses the name of the Lord
must turn away from wickedness" (II Timothy 2:19). In other words,
He has ordained the steps of my life. So, let whoever is wise consider
this great love of the Lord (Psalm 107:43). And, let the records show
(Psalm 56:8; Malachi 3:16) that even though we may walk through the valley
of death, we will fear no evil. Nor will we propagate further evil by
refusing to accept and submit to His holy purposes, though we may be in
the dark or not understand His ordained, gracious dealings on our behalf.
And we know why, don't we? Because He is with us. His rod and His staff
are right there to comfort us (Psalm 23) and to enrich us abundantly just
as He does the land which drinks in the water which He provides.
Show me your ways, O Lord, teach me your paths; guide me in your truth
and teach me. Amen. (Psalm 25:4-5)
October 11, 2005
Psalm 141:10 is an intriguing scripture: "Let the wicked fall into
their own nets, while I pass by in safety."
Confession is good for the soul. I'll share a recent 'dream' of mine.
Traveling down a local street, obeying the laws of the land, walking in
the Spirit, with the joy of the Lord as my strength, and acknowledging
that I am more than a conqueror through Him Who loves me, another user
of the road approached the rear end of my car and would have 'pushed'
me if he could have. Without jumping to conclusions, I assumed he was
in a hurry. His demeanor was such that I was not a little 'ticked' in
my heart. Finally he swerved around me, crossed a double yellow line,
and passed me. I didn't dare look at him. BUT, some of the righteous thoughts
of my heart went something like this: Go ahead, meatball; I have this
neat 'dream' of you getting caught - and nailed! - in a speed trap up
ahead! And, if you do, I might just slow down as I pass safely by you,
look at you with a sweet 'Christian' smile, humbly nod my head in your
direction, and maybe even toot my horn just to let you know that I know
you're getting precisely what you deserve!
I fear I may have given professional cheerleaders some stiff competition
when Hamon was hanged on the gallows he had built for Mordecai (Esther
7:9-10), or when Daniel's false accusers were given their just dues (Daniel
6:23-24). My gloating would surely have displeased the Lord (Proverbs
25:17-18), I know, because my unrighteous anger doesn't bring about the
righteous life that God desires (James 1:20). I must always leave room
for God's wrath (Romans 12:19). With no need for assistance from me, as
capable as I could be in some carnal 'skills', He has this incredible
plan for those who dig holes for others (Psalm 7:15-16); for those who
lay nets and traps (Psalm 35:7-8); for those who bear the sword and bow
against His people (Psalm 37:14-15); for those who cause 'trouble' (Proverbs
11:8); and for those who carry out evil plans (Psalm 64:5-8). Confession
- and reflection! - is good for the soul!
Thank You, Father of holiness, that in Your divine plan, the righteous
person is rescued from trouble, and it comes on the wicked instead (Proverbs
11:8). Grant me the oft needed grace to leave the exercise of such justice
to You, and the humility to stand firm in my faith (Proverbs 12:7). Amen.
October 14, 2005
Psalm 14:7 says: "When the Lord restores the fortunes of his people,
let Jacob rejoice and Israel be glad!"
I'm presently reading through the book of Jeremiah the prophet. One cannot
help but be impressed over and over again with the love, mercy, and grace
of the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob! From the recipients of His grace
comes a constant response of resistance, rejection, adultery, idolatry,
indifference, disobedience, and rebellion. So, in love He brings punishment
and discipline. But, He continues to promise loving and merciful restoration
if they will but bend the knee and bow their proud, adulterous heart in
repentance. And, as One Who knows the second page, the end of the story,
He prompts David to say, "WHEN (not if) the Lord restores the fortunes
of His people, for sure Jacob will rejoice; Israel will be so happy!"
You better believe they will!! I could go on, but....
What I'm thinking about right now are the many marriages and Christian
relationships which I know are presently in a life or death struggle.
Spouses who promised before God that they would trust Him for the grace
to love their mate for better or for worse, for richer or for poorer,
in sickness or in health, and to do that until death should part them
or until Jesus comes, have decided that they will no longer trust Him.
The bleakness of their situation, coupled in some cases with unbridled
disdain for their spouse and for God and His ways, almost begs for the
punishment of God in defense of His holiness. And, in some cases that
is indeed happening, as in love He seeks to draw stubborn hearts back
to Himself and His ways. But oh, how I wish more couples would realize
this: when His people humble themselves and repent of their evil ways,
He is more than ready to forgive and to restore what they have (seemingly!)
so carelessly strived to destroy.
Father, when Your people, who are called by Your name, repent of their
evil ways and humbly seek Your intervention for their dying marriages;
and when You restore the love and commitment which has been lost, let
the church rejoice and be glad! Glorify Your name in all the earth! Amen.
October 17, 2005
Psalm 67:1-2 "May God be gracious to us and bless us and make his
face shine upon us, so that your ways may be known on earth, your salvation
among all nations."
We have just finished World Awareness Festival '05, eight wonderful days
of steady focus on the glorious purpose of God to spread His Word and
His righteous ways to the ends of the earth. Personal reflection on today's
scripture prompts me to realize - again! - that to seek the blessing and
sweet presence of the Lord in/on my life without having missions or evangelism
as the ultimate goal, is utter selfishness and inexcusable short-sightedness.
Representing Christ's love and ministry through the South Asian Friendship
Center, our guest speakers, themselves committed and bold missionaries
to the 400,000 Muslims and 200,000 Hindus of "Little Asia" in
Chicago, reminded us of the sovereign God's design in bringing so many
ethnic groups to our nation and placing them right at our doorsteps. "From
one man he made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole
earth; and he determined the times set for them and the exact places they
should live. God did this so that men would seek him and perhaps reach
out for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us."
Acts 17:26-27
Imagine this: we don't have to go "across the sea" to reach
other nations, other ethnic groups. God has, by sovereign design, placed
these people "across the street" from us, so to speak. By so
doing, He has removed the argument of selling our homes, saying good byes
to family, and purchasing costly tickets to go to the other side of the
world. That is, He has answered the complaint that "we can't all
go to the foreign mission field!" Instead, He has brought the mission
field to us! Glory to God! How gracious He is to us, so that His ways
may be known on earth, His salvation among all nations!
So, as one commander, filled with great faith, said to his very few troops
who were woefully surrounded and out numbered several times over: "We're
surrounded, men. Don't let one of them get away!"
Father, thank you for being so gracious by bringing such an incredible,
multiethnic mission field to us! Bless us with the obedience, courage,
and trust needed - as Your ambassadors - to live for Jesus in their midst
and to effectively represent Him as the Savior of all mankind! Amen.
October 23, 2005
Psalm 83:2-3 See how your enemies are astir, how your foes rear their
heads. With cunning they conspire against your people; they plot against
those you cherish."
The enemies of God are becoming more arrogant and bold, more blatant in
their frontal attacks on the God of righteousness and on His cherished
people. Of course, this clearly signals to us that soon He Who will come
will indeed come, that our redemption draws nigh. Just as Jesus' enemies
pretended to be honest, hoping to catch Him in some verbal faux pas (Luke
20:20-23), so the 21st century enemy of God, that noisy crowd of evildoers
(Psalm 64:2), anxious to delete Him altogether, watches the evangelical
Christian's life and listens to his speech, hoping not only to curb any
overt acts of righteousness which may be 'offensive' to the ungodly, but
also to deny him the right to use that name which is above all names!
More than ever before, it seems, His enemies lurk and conspire, anxious
to destroy (Psalm 56:6), hoping to drag off someone they 'catch' in a
moment of 'carelessness' (Psalm 10:9). No doubt about it: their hatred
is great! (Psalm 81:15)
With all the raging hurricanes ravaging the shores of His earth, one must
wonder if the eternal God, robed in majesty and armed with strength, is
not speaking to us through the pounding waves of record-breaking storms
(see Psalm 93), since the citizens of earth will apparently not hear Him
through His Word or through His ambassadors.
Father, the prowling enemy with his voracious appetite can be resisted
by Your people, if we are willing to stand firm in our faith (I Peter
5:8-9). Strengthen us - that is, grant us the resolve - to do so for the
glory of God. To You be the power for ever and ever! Amen.
October 25, 2005
Psalm 25:14 "The Lord confides in those who fear him; he makes his
covenant known to them."
I love this scenario! For the Lord to express His plans in the intimacy
of a close group deliberately gathered for such a purpose is much like
the quarterback who has been signaled by the coach to carry out a particular
play and who then passes it on to the rest of the players in the huddle.
In that context, I can imagine the adrenaline rush of those in the huddle,
waiting for instructions so each can carry out the specifics of a prescribed
plan to advance the ball down the field. Can you imagine a player or two
simply meandering around the outer perimeter of the huddle watching a
replay on the giant TV screen, or talking on a cell phone, or looking
into the stands for a friend, or trying to get a coach's aide to bring
him a drink of Gatorade while the rest of the team is bent over in the
huddle, intent on understanding and unifying their precise movements for
the next play?
God said to Abraham, "Shall I hide from Abraham what I intend to
do?" (Genesis 18:17-19) And, at that point, I personally enjoy 'picturing'
God putting His hand around Abe's shoulder, drawing him close, and moving
His mouth toward the ear of His friend in order to communicate His unique
plans.
While on the one hand, the Lord rightfully detests a perverse person,
yet on the other hand He confidently "takes the upright into his
confidence" (Proverbs 3:32), graciously intent on communicating His
plan to and through them (Matthew 28:19-20). And, in what I picture a
sweet huddle of incalculable trust and confident friendship are given
the secrets of the kingdom of heaven to those who fear Him (Matthew 13:11-12)!
No wonder Jesus said, "You are my friends if you do what I command"
(John 15:15)!
Father, we are humbled by Your mercy and grace for salvation! As sinners
saved by grace, we are even more deeply moved by You sharing Your eternal
plan with us. And, we are further staggered by the confidence You place
in us to carry out that plan. Keep us faithful and obedient right up to
our dying breath, that You might receive all the honor, glory, and praise
throughout all of eternity! Amen.
October 31, 2005
Psalm 132:4-5 "I will allow no sleep to my eyes, no slumber to my
eyelids, till I find a place for the Lord, a dwelling for the Mighty One
of Jacob."
Through Solomon's commitment to priority living, the Lord has given us
opportunity to assess our own lives and spiritual priorities. For example,
certain disciplines of life - such as putting Christ and worship of Him
first in our lives, the reading and studying of the Scriptures, prayer,
fasting - require us to deal strictly, sometimes 'harshly' with our weak
flesh which constantly whines and cries to be pampered and given a break.
I recall almost 40 years ago staying up late many nights to play games
and have great interaction with fellow Christians. The problem was that
with the late hours, my body greatly resisted waking and getting up the
next morning. Eventually (and gratefully!), that started to bother me.
Through the Holy Spirit's faithfulness, He brought me to the conclusion
that if I was going to 'have fun' well into the evening, I must consciously
pick an hour to call it quits so that I could get a good night's rest,
and be able to get up early the next morning and be 'fresh' in what was
then my slowly developing quiet time with the Lord.
Having made that critical decision, I then found that I needed to keep
setting my alarm earlier and earlier, because I couldn't get enough of
Him! I became increasingly desperate to "find a place for the Lord,
a dwelling for the Mighty One of Jacob" in my very needy soul. In
that sweet context, I became convinced that, though my body does indeed
need sleep, yet sleep was not ultimately the most important need in order
for me to be effective for Him; it was time spent in His presence and
in His Word (Psalm 16:11; 41:12).
Merciful Father, we confess our spiritual lethargy to You which is
sometimes 'couched' in the well intended exhortation: "Well, you
NEED your sleep! Don't be foolish! God wants you to be rested!" Please
continue to teach us about proper 'rest' and priority living. Assist us
in reassessing our whole value system, till we truly find a proper place
in our lives and schedule for the Lord, the Mighty One of Jacob. Amen.
|
