Daily Devotions

True reverence for the Lord is greatly lacking today. Even Christians can get sloppy in their worship practices. God is not some giant teddy bear in the sky. He is a holy and omnipotent God, Who has a burning love for us sinners. “Take off your sandals” and, in humble awe, and stand before Him on holy ground.

Jesus asked for a drink of water from the Samaritan woman, and, before you know it, the two were talking about eternal things. He has the living water of life eternal to give to all sinners. Let’s turn our simple conversations into opportunities to share Jesus.

We stand in grace, meaning that even though we daily sin, as believers in Christ we are God’s forgiven children 24/7. The sufferings we go through serve to mold our character, so that we persevere in hope, a hope which, unlike all other hopes, will never disappoint.

“Oh come, let us sing to the LORD! Let us shout joyfully to the Rock of our salvation.” [vv.1-2] Yet even as we rejoice in His salvation, we need the stern warning: “Do not harden your hearts.” [v.8] Because we are sinners we need to be warned, so that we ever listen to the voice of the Lord our Savior. Praise the Lord for His greatness: “Oh come, let us sing to the LORD! Let us shout joyfully to the Rock of our salvation.” [vv.1-2] But even as we rejoice in His salvation, we need the stern warning: “Do not harden your hearts.” [v.8] Because we are sinners we need to be warned, so that we ever listen to the voice of Lord, our Rock.

Complain! Complain! Complain. Sound familiar? Just like Israel of old don’t we find ourselves whining about every little thing? May God lead us to repent of this terrible sin, and then to stand in amazement at how He so richly blesses us despite our grumbling ways.

So the rich go to hell, and the poor to heaven? No. While it is true that living only for the pleasures of this world is foolish and eternally devastating, Jesus’ main point is that, whether rich or poor, the only way to prepare for eternity is by giving heed to the faith creating power of God’s Word.

In this world of wickedness, the Law serves to curb the course outbreak of sin. As a mirror it also shows our sin, along with the hell we deserve because of our sin. Our one hope? “. . . Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners . . .” [v.15]

Praise the Lord as Creator: “By the word of the LORD the heavens were made.” [v.6] Praise Him as the Lord of history: “The LORD brings the counsel of the nations to nothing.” [v.10] Praise Him as our Savior: “. . . to deliver their soul from death.” [v.19]

Seven amazing promises from the Lord are given to Abram. The crowning jewel is the last one: “And in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.” From the descendants of Abraham would come One who would bring the superb blessings of forgiveness and salvation for all. Yes, that One is Jesus Christ!

Even if it meant tearing apart a roof, nothing would stop them from getting their paralyzed friend to Jesus. Jesus not only had the power to get him up and walking, He has the authority to make the man’s soul whole through the forgiveness of sins. Jesus has all we need for body and soul.

Whoever seeks to establish his own righteousness (perfection) before God will fail in a big way. “Christ is the end of the law.” Christ’s righteousness is given to all sinners as a free gift. That means “whoever calls on the name of the Lord [whoever trusts in Him and not his own works] shall be saved.”

Under the Lord’s perfect care we can be confident that He will be with us in every trouble, that He will answer our every prayer, and that He will finally show us His salvation. “He is my refuge and my fortress; My God, in Him I will trust.” [v.1]