Devotions (Page 9)

The Clumsy Servant We know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin. Romans 7:14 If you have a very clumsy servant and he just sits still and does nothing, then his clumsiness does not appear. If he does nothing all day he will be of little use to you, it is true, but at least he will do no damage that way. But if you say to him: “Now come along, don’t idle your time;…

Skittish Deliver me from my enemies, O my God;Set me securely on an inaccessibly high place away from those who rise up against me. Deliver me from those who practice wrongdoing,And save me from bloodthirsty men. Look! They lie in wait for my life;Fierce and powerful men [are uniting together to] launch an attack against me,Not for my wrongdoing nor for any sin of mine, O Lord. They run and set themselves against me though there is no guilt in…

The Joy of God Bring forth quickly the best robe and put it on him. Luke 15:22 God is so wealthy that his chief delight is to give. His treasure stores are so full that it is a pain to him when we refuse him an opportunity of lavishing those treasures upon us. When the prodigal returned home the father had no word of rebuke for the waste nor of inquiry regarding the substance. He only rejoiced over the opportunity…

Take The Step The priests that bare the ark of the covenant of the Lord stood firm on dry ground in the midst of Jordan, and all Israel…. passed clean over Jordan. Joshua 3:17 We must have faith to see all God’s people brought into their inheritance. That is his purpose, and it will be carried through. But as a means to realizing that purpose, God needs those willing to step right into death if need be, and to stand…

I Didn’t Deserve This Save me, O God, by Your name;And vindicate me by Your [wondrous] power. Hear my prayer, O God;Listen to the words of my mouth. For strangers have risen against meAnd violent men have sought my life;They have not set God before them. Selah. Behold, God is my helper and ally;The Lord is the sustainer of my soul [my upholder]. He will pay back the evil to my enemies;In Your faithfulness destroy them. With a freewill offering…

Too Late She hath wrought a good work upon me. Matthew 26:10 When the Lord returns and we see him face to face, I trust that we shall pour out our treasures at his feet. But today- what are we doing today? Several days after Mary had broken the alabaster box and poured the ointment on Jesus’ head, there were some women who went early in the morning to anoint his body. Did they do it? Did they succeed in…

The Wisdom of Fools The [empty-headed] fool has said in his heart, “There is no God.”They are corrupt and evil, and have committed repulsive injustice;There is no one who does good. God has looked down from heaven upon the children of menTo see if there is anyone who understands,Who seeks after God [who requires Him, who longs for Him as essential to life]. Every one of them has turned aside and fallen away;Together they have become filthy and corrupt;There is…

The Victimizer Why do you boast of evil, O mighty man?The lovingkindness of God endures all day long. Your tongue devises destruction,Like a sharp razor, working deceitfully. You love evil more than good,And falsehood more than speaking what is right. Selah. You love all words that devour,O deceitful tongue. But God will break you down forever;He will take you away and tear you away from your tent,And uproot you from the land of the living. Selah. The righteous will see…

Flawed Masterpiece Have mercy on me, O God, according to Your lovingkindness;According to the greatness of Your compassion blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from my wickedness and guiltAnd cleanse me from my sin. For I am conscious of my transgressions and I acknowledge them;My sin is always before me. Against You, You only, have I sinnedAnd done that which is evil in Your sight,So that You are justified when You speak [Your sentence]And faultless in Your judgment. I…

Rich, But Poor Hear this, all peoples;Listen carefully, all inhabitants of the world, Both low and high,Rich and poor together: My mouth will speak wisdom,And the meditation of my heart will be understanding. I will incline my ear and consent to a proverb;On the lyre I will unfold my riddle. Why should I fear in the days of evil,When the wickedness of those who would betray me surrounds me [on every side], Even those who trust in and rely on…