Daily devotion

The God of Jacob

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The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah Psalm 46:11 ESV

Notice here that God is called here, the God of Jacob. Not God of Abraham – the father of our faith.. He is not the God of Issac, the laughter and joy of God’s promise fulfilled. He is not even called the God of Israel – Jacob’s later God given name meaning prince and overcomer. He is our God of Jacob – the struggler and striver. He is with us as He was with Jacob as He was still locked in combat and wrestling through life with both his brother Esau and The angel of the Lord. At exactly that time when we are also gripped by an opponent who knows our point of weakness, God is with us. He never leaves, He strives along right by our side and comforts us in our dismal moments of what seems certain defeat. Right then and right now He is our God of Jacob – our fortress, our refuge, our mighty delivered and our closest friend!

One Thing

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One thing I have desired of the Lord. That will I seek after… Psalm 27:4a NKJV

Among all his desires and in the face of overwhelming enemies, how wonderful it must have been to God’s heart that more than anything else, David wanted to spend time in God’s house. Where do you and I want to spend our time? Just like with our money the best place to find out is our checkbook or record of debit and credit transactions. Where have we invested time today? How can that change where and how we invest it tomorrow? God promises to grant the desires of our hearts if we delight in Him.

Hope Beyond Distant Horizons

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As we will be traveling for three weeks, starting tomorrow, the posts will be few and far between. This devotional from several years ago encourages me as we head off towards our own distant horizons. 

I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth. Psalms 121:1-2 ESV

When life is all tea and roses, it seems obvious to us that tomorrow will be the same or better. But when the rose petals darken from early frost and our teacups fall and smash to pieces, our forecast changes. Weaknesses, hospital stays and doctor visits clamor to fill up our calendar. On those days where is our hope? The psalmist says he looks out as far as his eyes can see, and on his horizon lie distant hills. Beyond those hills is a new and uncharted territory. What things lie behind them? When we have passed our farthest horizon what then? Then God’s answer echoes back from the hills: – “My help comes from the Lord!” The God who created those hills will still walk with us beyond our farthest horizons to the very ends of the earth!