Trustworthy

Proverbs 11 says “A gossip betrays a confidence, but a trustworthy person keeps a secret.”

I don’t know about you, but I don’t really know very many people who never gossip. In fact, I’d say most of us do at some point or another.  We can say, “Please don’t tell,” “Keep this a secret,” or “This is not to be shared,” but if the time is right, the ear is there, people spill the beans.

Trustworthy people are out there, but even the most trustworthy of friends will fail us.  Usually we find one or two people, if we’re lucky, in life who are really trustworthy of someone in whom we can place our confidence.

Even family members gossip behind each other’s backs. Yikes!

However, there is friend who is closer than a brother who never betrays a confidence   - and that friend is Jesus.

You can spill your guts, confess your faults, admit all of your fears, and he not only keeps your confessions safe – he forgives you, he loves you, and he delights in you.

What a friend we have in Jesus.

Don't Lean

Proverbs 3 is a well-quoted verse, and one that is good to memorize.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.

This is my husband’s favorite passage, and I’m sure it is one of the favorites of many. 

I think the main cause behind all of our doubts is the fact that we start leaning…on our own understanding.  “Why?” is a question we learn to ask as a toddler, and we never quit asking the rest of our lives.  Why is there pain the world?  Why did this happen to me?  Why aren’t you listening, God?

And when we don’t receive an answer that suits us, we begin to doubt our Father.  Yet, when our toddlers ask us questions that have answers they cannot possibly understand, we just politely pat them on the head and send them on their way.

God doesn’t pat us on the head.  He says here to trust Him, stand up and quit leaning, submit your ways (that includes your thoughts and reasoning abilities) to Him, and he will cause you to walk on a path that is straight.

In other words, if your path is crooked right now, and full of twists and turns that are making you dizzy – trust Him.

He’s God. We’re his children.  And there are some things we just have to lay down, reach out our hand, and let him walk us through it.

Let the Morning

Psalm 143 says Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you.

When I wake up in the morning, one of the first things I do is open my blinds.  I love to let the light come in, enjoy looking out back at the garden to see what is blooming, and I love the assurance that the sun is rising and another new day is mine.

I’d say each morning does bring us word of his unfailing love – when the sun rises and the darkness is gone.

Not only does the morning bring us this word, but the entire creation speaks of his faithfulness to us.  The trees and flowers are beautiful in bloom, the birds sing songs that must come from heaven, and when the sun sets at night, the moon appears to let us know we are still being watched over with tender care.

Open your blinds, look outside, step out and feel the warm breezes, and observe the sun as it rises.

Put your trust in the Creator of the heavens and the earth…

Unshaken

Psalm 125 says, Those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion, which cannot be shaken but endures forever.

Zion is mentioned 150 times in the Bible and means “fortification.”

If we trust in the Lord (lay our troubles down and leave them at his feet), we are like this mountain – completely fortified – unshakable – and nothing can defeat us.

Trust, in Him, is what fortifies our stance.  

When we wobble and doubt and begin to look for other places, things, or people in which to place our trust – it’s like opening a door to our wall of protection and inviting in trouble.

This is why it’s SO important to surround ourselves with people who know and trust the Lord, because when we have a weak moment or day – we can call on them to speak the truth about God’s faithfulness – to help us stand up and shut that door so that we are fortified once again.

Mount Zion – sounds like a place where I want to live.

No Fear

Psalm 112: 6-8 They will have no fear of bad news; their hearts are steadfast, trusting in the Lord. Their hearts are secure, they will have no fear; in the end they will look in triumph on their foes.

Who is “they?” It’s the righteous, those who believe and follow Christ.

Something interesting to note here is that bad news apparently will come at some point during our lives.  I’d like to trust the Lord that bad news will never come.  But what it says here is that even when it does, our hearts can be secure and we can have no fear.

There’s another verse in the bible that says He will give us peace that passes understanding, when we give all of our cares to Him.

How is this possible, to have peace, security, a heart that is steadfast, and no fear – at the hint of bad news – or even in the middle of the reality of bad news?

The last part of the verse is the hope that the righteous have – “in the end.”

Those who know Christ know that their enemy is defeated, and all will be made right, be healed, be whole, and be at rest – in the end. Those who do not know Christ have no hope, nor assurance.

Our hope must be placed in Him, if we are to be at peace.

The Rock

More of Psalm 78:

In spite of all this, they kept on sinning; in spite of his wonders, they did not believe. So he ended their days in futility and their years in terror. Whenever God slew them, they would seek him; they eagerly turned to him again. They remembered that God was their Rock…

I realize this is Old Testament reading and we live under grace, now.  But I sometimes wonder if it isn’t God’s grace to allow us a bit of futility and terror at times.  I know God doesn’t cause bad things to happen, and I don’t really understand all of the why’s of why we ALL encounter tough times. 

I do know, however, that miracles and wonders and answered prayers do not keep us tethered to God in full abandon.  In fact, if we live a life of bliss, we tend to wander off…going after those cravings we mentioned in yesterday’s devo.

So what does keep us tethered to Him, on our knees before Him in worship, and at His feet waiting to serve? 

This verse says whenever God slew them, the people sought him and “eagerly” turned to him again. I suppose it’s the same thing that happens now, when there is disaster – floods, terror, storms, fires – churches are full…at least for a while. 

Does God send the flood and the storm?  I don’t think that’s a question any of us can answer because we’re not God.  But do storms send us into His arms?  You bet they do, because we realize how frail we are when we’re knocked over by a strong wind.

And we remember that the only rock that is solid on which we can stand…is God.

That can’t be a bad thing.

Craving

Psalm 78: 17 But they continued to sin against him, rebelling in the wilderness against the Most High. They willfully put God to the test by demanding the food they craved.
  

Yikes.  This is a hard verse to read.  Before this particular verse, we are reminded again of all that God did for these people while they were in the wilderness, providing everything they needed…and more.  One would think that continual blessing in one’s life would produce a grateful, faithful heart. But not so.

The problem was that those mentioned in this verse “demanded” the food “they” craved.  In other words, they criticized God’s provision and the very nature of God (the Most High).  They made a decision (willfully) to tell God what it was they wanted (demanded) and what it was they craved (to fulfill their flesh.)

You know the scene.  Your toddler refuses the plate of healthy food in front of him and turns up his nose, as you insert a bite, and he then spits it out all over you and the nice clean floor.  He doesn’t get it.  He wants fries and you fed him green beans.

Get the picture?  He knows what we need to grow and be healthy, and we think we know what we want to feel good and be happy.

Open your mouth.  Enjoy what He serves.  And chew it and swallow it, until you actually prefer what He serves over what you crave.

Tell It

Psalm 78: 6 …so the next generation would know them, even the children yet to be born, and they in turn would tell their children. Then they would put their trust in God and would not forget his deeds but would keep his commands.

What is this talking about?  Tell our children and our children’s children what? 

There’s a command in this chapter, and a promise if the command is followed.  That command is to tell our children and our children’s children of the faithfulness of God in our lives.

Has God healed you?  Provided financially?  Kept you from danger?  Been with you right in the middle of danger?  Has he met your needs?

Tell your kids the stories.  Talk of the good things you’ve received in your life.  Fill their minds with the goodness of God and His faithfulness to you.  Keep telling them.

Why?  ...because if you do…then your children will put their trust in God and tell their children. And they will not forget his deeds but keep his commands, so they too can witness His faithfulness in their lives.

Don’t just silently trust in the Lord and nod your head in a subtle “Thanks.”  Shout it loud to your family and rejoice and give praise – together – so that the sound is heard by those yet unborn…

Unbelief

…for they did not believe in God or trust in his deliverance. Yet he gave a command to the skies above and opened the doors of the heavens; he rained down manna for the people to eat… (Psalm 78)

This entire chapter is a stirring read, about God’s faithfulness, and the people and their unfaithfulness.

Over and over God provided for these people, giving them food when they were hungry and quenching their thirst when they were parched.  He even led them through a wall of water and “engulfed” their enemies behind them.  Yet they feared and doubted His faithfulness, and did not “trust in His deliverance.”

However…he continued to provide for all of their needs.  He knew they were weak and he had compassion time and time again.

Sometimes I feel “justified” for doubting God…because He didn’t come through for me like I thought He would.  And I realize there is no justification for doubting Him, because He’s God and I’m not.  I either choose to believe His ways are righteous and good always, and that he will deliver me from all those “who pursue me” or I sin by closing my fist and shaking it in His face.

This entire passage is a reminder of God’s faithful leading when we follow, and a stern warning to note…and trust…His undying care for those who love Him.

Afraid

When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. In God, whose word I praise—
in God I trust and am not afraid. (Psalm 56)

This verse is interesting to me, because when I’m afraid I know I need to trust in God, but it seems to be hardest thing to do when fear settles in for the night. 

I want to put my trust in the assurance that the situation bringing me fear is going to end by morning.  I want to place my trust in someone or something to fix the problem so that the fear is gone.  I want to trust that God “cares enough” to take care of me.

None of the above placements produce peace, because there is no assurance, nor fix, nor knowledge that banishes fear.  The only thing that banishes fear is trust in God – His word – in Him – alone.

Sounds mystical and impossible, but when we really know God’s character, we can sleep in a boat with a storm raging all around, knowing that one word from Him can calm the storm…or calm our hearts.  Either outcome is a miracle.

Are you afraid?  Close your eyes and think of placing your fears in a brown paper bag and laying it at His feet.  Read His Word and offer up praise to the God who is in control. Then trust.

One and Many

Psalm 44 says “I put no trust in my bow, my sword does not bring me victory; but you give us victory over our enemies, you put our adversaries to shame.”

Notice the use of the singular pronoun “I” at the beginning of this passage. I cannot trust in my own strength or my own weapons.  My bow will break, and my sword will become dull with use.  Nothing I use will bring me victory.

Notice the use of the plural pronouns “us” and “our” in the second part of the passage.  When I place my trust in the Lord, victory comes to me and mine. 

We win over our enemies…and all who are against us are put to shame.

One person who trusts in the Lord gains victory for many.

Blessed

Psalm 40 says, Blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord… Many, Lord my God, are the wonders you have done, the things you planned for us. None can compare with you; were I to speak and tell of your deeds, they would be too many to declare.

Being “blessed” does not mean that we have thousands of dollars in the bank, perfect health, and friends that worship the ground on which we walk. 

The biblical definition of “blessed” can be found in Matthew 5, where the Beatitudes are listed:

“Blessed are the poor in spirit,
    for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are those who mourn,
    for they will be comforted.
Blessed are the meek,
    for they will inherit the earth.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
    for they will be filled.
Blessed are the merciful,
    for they will be shown mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart,
    for they will see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers,
    for they will be called children of God.
Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,
    for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Are you sure you want to be blessed?  It requires trusting His plans to work out His will in our lives so that His kingdom is ours…and those with whom we dwell on this earth.

Put it There

Psalm 25 says, “In you, Lord my God, I put my trust.”

The word “put” just jumped off the page at me.  I have a choice of where to put my trust, and it’s within my ability to place it where I will.

If I put my trust in people, I will be disappointed.  People fail, because they’re human.  People die.  People move away.  People are people.

If I put my trust in my own strength, I will fail.  My strength is limited.  My strength varies from day to day.  And my strength can be outdone by someone who is stronger.

If I put my trust in stuff, I will never have enough to keep me happy.  The stuff will acquire dust, it will fade in the sun, and it will break if I drop it or something falls on it.  In fact, stuff can be stolen and taken away from me.

But…

If I put my trust in Him, if I stand up and raise my arms and surrender it all to the LORD MY GOD, and if I put it there and leave it – I can rest.

Put your trust in the Lord.  Make the decision to let it all go.  And rest.

Simply Wise

Psalm 19 says, “The law of the Lord is perfect, refreshing the soul. The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy, making wise the simple.”

If you’re under a huge burden of stress, trying to maintain “perfection” in all areas, and at the same time live this holy, godly life you aspire to have – you’re probably under a burden that’s not yours to carry!

This verse says living under the Lord’s law refreshes the soul – not weighs heavy on the shoulders.  His instructions and commands are given to set us free, not tie us up.

Every instruction the Lord sets out for us to follow, we can trust that what He says is good and worthy of our trust.  These commands make “wise the simple.”

If we are burdened, stressed, and weighed down – this leads to a complicated life we are trying to maintain and control.  No wisdom can be noted in that kind of life, nor heeded.

But when we “simply” trust Him, realize His ways are perfect, and that His commands rejuvenate our soul – we become wise.

Lay aside those things that are weighing you down…and see how free you are to run.

His Name

Psalm 9:9, 10 - The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble. Those who know your name trust in you,  for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you.

Do you know His name?

When I hear the name of a person I know, immediately I have an image of their face, their personality, and how I feel about them.  Tell me the name of a celebrity and I can tell you whether or not I’ve seen them in the movies, and if I enjoyed their acting…or not.

Jesus is the name above all others, and if we know Him, just the mention of His name brings up all that He is.

In these verses it states He is a refuge…and a stronghold…a name in which we can trust.

If the storm is too much and the rain is too heavy, we can call on His name and He covers us with peace.  We may still see the rain, but we won’t slip away in the flood.  And if we still feel like we are losing ground, he is our stronghold – the one who grabs us and pulls us back to our feet.

And finally, we are reminded that he never forsakes those who seek Him.

Who are you seeking today?  Jesus is the Name.

Your Father

Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. 

It’s Father’s Day weekend.  The last few days of devos have reminded us of the characteristics of our Father.  

The best of earthly fathers fail us.  They’re human, they have weaknesses, they operate out of wounds, and they mess up. 

But when we know Jesus, we come into His kingdom, He clothes us with His righteousness, and we shine like the sun!  We light up the earth!

Just writing these devotions the past few days has turned my heart once again to my Father, being reminded again of what a true Father He is.

He never fails.  He’s divine, in Him is no weakness at all.  He operates out of love, and He cannot mess up.

Enjoy this weekend…with your Father.

Look Around

Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?

Recently, I was driving down the road and wondering if I was pleasing God with a recent purchase I’d made, if I use my money in ways that He approves of, etc.  It’s funny, when I start wondering about how I fare in God’s eyes, I don’t use the endearing term of “Father,” but rather his stately address of “God.”  I come to Him already sure that He’s looking down on me, shaking his finger.

It was at this time I looked over and saw a field full of beautiful yellow flowers, and they were just standing there in the sun, doing nothing.  I gasped at their beauty.  And I realized, at least for a moment, that God, my Father, loves me.  He loves to just gaze on my beauty because I reflect the image of His Son.  He gasps when He sees me, too.

Wow. 

I’m more valuable than the birds of the air, as well, who are fed daily by my heavenly Father.  Much more valuable.

Wow.

If you don't have an earthly father that loves to hang out with you, look in your face, and gaze at your beauty - your heavenly Father does - so hang out with Him.

Babbling On

Matthew 6 says, And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.

I love all of these verses that reveal who our Father is.  He wants us to get out of the way, rest in Him, surrender to Him, and let Him do all the work.  What a Father He is…

Here in this passage He tells us not to babble, not to just use a bunch of words, when we pray.  Why?  Because in His attentiveness to his children, he already knows what we need before we ask Him.

I don’t know about you, but I know that I babble a lot. I come to Him, I’m worried, I’m scared, I’m confused, and I spill out a bunch of words that beg Him to rescue, to save, to heal, to help…and YET…

He doesn’t hear me because of the amount of words I use.  He hears my heart and knows my need before I even speak, because I’m his daughter.

I wish I could grasp this love of His – so that when I pray I spend more time praising – and not babbling.

Be Careful

Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven.

This verse comes right on the heels of the verse from yesterday, where we are told to be perfect.

So this implies that being perfect does NOT include going around letting others know that we’re being perfect.  That would be “practicing our righteousness” and righteousness is not something that can be practiced.  Again, that would mean that it’s something we can achieve if we just practice enough times to get it right.

This is another strong verse. Re-read the last part.  If we practice our righteousness in front of others to be seen by them, we have NO reward from our Father. Wow.

But instead of seeing this as a stern reprimand, I see it as another reminder that being like Him is not a result of ANYTHING we do.  It’s all a work He does.

And when His righteousness, his perfection, is something we allow HIM to work out in us, others do see it.  And the reward we have is bringing glory to Him, not glory for ourselves.

Be careful.

Perfection

Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

This is a tall order.  One we are unable to deliver.  So why are we told to do it?

In another verse in the NT, we are told to be holy, because He is holy.

Perfection is not something I personally want to even strive for, because I know I’ll fail.  And even if I do achieve perfection by my own efforts, I’m pretty sure I will be proud of what I've done and then…of course…I will no longer be perfect anymore.

The only way we can achieve perfection, or holiness, is by allowing Jesus to do it through us.  When he works perfection in our hearts and attitudes towards others, and when His holiness purges all of what’s unholy out of us…perfection is the result.  And that kind of perfection only points to the One who is perfect.  He gets all the glory.

Our Father is perfect.  He loves those who are unlovable.  There is no darkness in Him at all.  He is light.  He is love. He is holy.

And I can’t even wrap my mind around it, but we are in the process of becoming like Him, in His image, if we invite Jesus into our lives to start the process. 

Here’s to perfection…

He

Matthew 5 has these words in it, But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.

Many times when hard times come our way (which we call “rain”) we look for something evil we must have done in order to end up under a deluge of trouble.  Or we say the “enemy” is out to get us.

I don’t believe that.  I see in this verse that we are children of our Father in heaven, a relationship that is sound and secure.  The enemy can’t even get to us. 

If I read this verse at face value, it says to me that we live in the same world as our friends, those who believe and those who don’t.  What sets us apart is not that we never experience rain or sun, but that we are children of our Father in heaven.

The rain will fall at times, but we won’t drown under it because of His watchful eye.  And sometimes the rain that falls – He sends it – because we’re dry and need to have deeper roots and brighter blossoms.

It brings me a lot more peace to know that trials and troubles  might come my way, even sent to me from above, all for the purpose of making me more like Him, than it does to think an old devil is out to get me and I have to keep running and fighting him off.

He causes…He sends…and He’s my Father...so He defends.  

Why Do It?

Malachi 2 talks about our Father…and divorce…and what it says when we break covenant with our spouse.

Do we not all have one Father? Did not one God create us? Why do we profane the covenant of our ancestors by being unfaithful to one another?

Lots of debate happens, even in church, over whether or not a particular couple has “the right” to divorce.  I have friends and family now, at this moment, considering separation and divorce.  I don’t like it.  I don’t think anyone really likes divorce, but it happens…even to those who love Him.

This verse says we “profane” the covenant by being unfaithful to one another.  Many agree that being unfaithful is grounds for divorce.  But have we ever considered that divorce itself is being unfaithful to one another? 

To profane something is to treat it with irreverence or disrespect.  I saw a movie recently where a young couple who were dating said they knew they would eventually divorce, after they married. They expected it, because their parents had divorced, and after all – it’s the norm.

God in his three parts is yet one – we teach that and know it.  He never breaks covenant with himself, and we are his children – he is our Father.  So when we break covenant with a spouse we are disrespecting the unity of the very essence of who we are in Him.

Divorce is not something to be entered into lightly, and neither is marriage.  Covenants and promises are heard and taken to heart by both parties when the “I do” is said.

Is divorce inevitable, expected, and justified nowadays?  Instead, let’s ask ourselves how we can strengthen our oneness with Him, and see how it affects our oneness with each other.