Daily devotion

No Compromise

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For exaltation comes neither from the east Nor from the west nor from the south. But God is the Judge: He puts down one, And exalts another. 
Psalms 75:6‭-‬7 NKJV

As the Psalm writer, Asaph looked to the East he would see the fearful nation of Assyria (and later Babylon). To the West were arrayed the Philistines, who were a current enemy, striking without warning any village they wished along the border. Last of all to the South, Egypt’s empire, their past slave master, still held half of the world in its grip.

Though the names have changed, the fears and challenges of future fears, present threats and past enemies remain. Our human tendency is to try for alliance with one of these in the vain hope they will allow us a moment of tranquility. But the only safety and real true peace comes from the Lord. Just as when Asaph the chief worship leader, prayed in the temple, and understood who was really in charge of his protection and promotion, we can do the same. Only God is greater and our deliverance comes from commitment to Him, not compromise with our enemies!

It is Easter Again!

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Then the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, also went in, and he saw and believed; John 20:8 ESV

I like the conflicted kind of faith that John had because it is so much like my own. After all, he had not seen a vision of angels as the women had, nor seen Jesus Himself as did Mary Magdalene. John had not had the chance to walk with Jesus to Emmaus or see Him vanish as He broke the bread. All John had in his hands was an empty burial shroud, yet that slim shard of evidence stirred within him the words that Jesus had spoken, “and after three days I will rise again.” and John believed.

I love this simple disciple, who never even ventures to name himself, though we know from the early accounts that it is John. He is so much like us, on this Easter morning. Not one of us has literally heard the Savior’s voice, nor touched His wounds as Thomas did. We hold only copies of the words His followers wrote, are stirred by the whispers of the Holy Spirit in our hearts, and yet it is enough! The miracle of God’s gift, and the faith He stirs within us, fills us with joy. It is Easter again! We have received the amazing good news with what seems to others only a few shreds of evidence. Together we have become brothers and sisters with John and everyone else who has believed in Jesus for 2,000 years. Happy Resurrection Day! It is Easter Again! He is risen indeed!

Word Wednesday – Following Jesus

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When I encountered this verse today, I immediately remembered the song “Open Our Eyes Lord.” It was written in 1976 by Bob Cull, became one of the favorite worship songs of the 80’s and is still famously used as the intro to David Jeremiah’s teaching. But the question put before us this morning is more than even the one that Jesus asked Bartimaeus just before his healing, “What do you want me to do for you?” Today’s challenge is, “What would I do if God helped me to see Jesus right now?” – Would I worship and be thankful? Go home and sing His praises? Or would I do as Bartimaeus did and follow Jesus along the way?