Do You Trust in God?
Morning Friends,
On Ash Wednesday we began the liturgical season of Lent and began to prepare ourselves to celebrate the journey to the cross and the empty tomb. It is a special time that prompts us to remember our journey of faith and to recall the great memories of our youth. It is a sad time for me this year as one year ago on Ash Wednesday I sat by my mother’s side as she passed to the other side. The depths of despair is no place to call home. Still it is a time of year in which we are to recover the joy and hope that makes us feel like we have come home to the tenderness and love of a great family. So this morning I am remembering my conversion and weaving it into my daily experience of life and its challenges and my memories. And here I face my need to believe in what Jesus taught and even to overcome with help the same types of temptation he had in the desert that was part of our scripture reading in church on Valentine’s Day. So this morning I too battle three temptations that would destroy what I have been called to be. I too battle as Jesus in the desert the greed of wealth and the vain pursuit of prestige and the pride of putting oneself above others. So this morning I am spread thin and cognizant that I am unworthy. I do not know what the future will bring but because I love God and others I will assume the best is yet to be. Because love knows no limits I will have hope. Do You Trust in God?
Scripture: For the word of the Lord is upright, and all his work is done in faithfulness. He loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of the steadfast love of the Lord. By the word of the Lord the heavens were made, and all their host by the breath of his mouth.
Psalm 33:4-6 (NRSV)
He has told you, O mortal, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?
Micah 6:8 (NRSV)
Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that is taking place among you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice in so far as you are sharing Christ’s sufferings, so that you may also be glad and shout for joy when his glory is revealed. If you are reviled for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the spirit of glory, which is the Spirit of God, is resting on you. But let none of you suffer as a murderer, a thief, a criminal, or even as a mischief-maker. Yet if any of you suffers as a Christian, do not consider it a disgrace, but glorify God because you bear this name.
1 Peter 4:12-16 (NRSV)
‘Be strong and of good courage. Do not be afraid or dismayed before the king of Assyria and all the horde that is with him; for there is one greater with us than with him. With him is an arm of flesh; but with us is the Lord our God, to help us and to fight our battles.’ The people were encouraged by the words of King Hezekiah of Judah.
2 Chronicles 32:7-8 (NRSV)
But I trust in you, O Lord; I say, ‘You are my God.’
Psalm 31:14 (NRSV)
Message: Find strength in times of suffering and in times of serving. Find strength in love and trust. Surviving persecution may measure ones strength but our willingness to sacrifice shows just how strong or weak your faith really is. When we are persecuted, when we suffer and sacrifice we show our trust in God and it is then we grow in the faith. Friends, some battles only God can win. Scripture tells us that faith in a God that is on our side will help us overcome them. Faith will help us face difficulties so they do not destroy us, but develop us. To succeed we need to do our part, but we also need to engage heavenly help too. When faced with a threat don’t give up before the first battle. Ask Jesus to carry some of the burden. Certainly make preparations using common sense. Strengthen fortifications and strategize for the battle having faith in the ultimate outcome, but don’t rely on your own abilities to the exclusion of the body of believers. The message in today’s scripture is that if we trust in God as our leader we can triumph. We are to intercede for others as best we can but also give God the Glory as we learn to engage Him as an intercessor in our most important battles. No matter how close to God we live we are going to have to face sickness, death and judgment. Today we learn that to not be conquered by sin we must ask and receive God’s help.
Pray that our faith would fortify us for the fight. Pray for those who are standing for truth and justice…that they would receive God’s protection and that He would provide for our mutual victory because we stand with them and Him. Pray that the Spirit in us is the love of God…greater than whatever we face. Pray that we intercede in prayer for others now so that in our faith we would believe He will intercede for us… answering our call for help….responding as our intercessor when we face temptation and judgment. Pray we have a place to call home…a place to fulfill the purpose for which we were made…a place of trust that glorifies God. Pray we are more cheerful and generous. Pray we trust that God has this all figured out even though we never will.
Blessings,
John Lawson
Daily Devotionals 