Read Psalm 121
The Lord is our protector. Spend a few moments today simply thanking the Lord for not letting your foot slip or nodding off during our desperate hour. The Lord is here and ready to meet our greatest need.
Consider memorizing a verse in this passage: a great one would be verse 7. A great verse to teach our children and grandchildren. A promise to sing over them as they leave our sight.
Read Genesis 13
One of Abrams faults it seemed was that he deferred leadership and responsibility to others. Instead of leaving Lot behind with the rest of his family, he allowed him to follow along. Now that both men had grown in size and resources, they had to part ways. Instead of Abram taking the leadership responsibility in this matter of who would go where, he deferred to Lot to chose which direction he would go. The decision Lot made to select the land close to Sodom would prove to be a terrible choice in the days ahead.
God in his mercy and providence took care of Abram. His land selection would be the Promised Land that God would give to Abram's ancestors (as numerous as the dust of the earth). And there Abram built an altar to worship the Lord.
Read Acts 10
What a power movement of the God taking Peter and the gospel to a Roman centurion and his family. Through visions both Cornelius and Peter were informed about this divine appointment. But first a work of enlightenment had to occur in Peter. Once Peter saw that God was indeed opening the door for people of all nationalities and backgrounds to receive the Gospel, he welcomed this transition with hesitation. These new followers of Jesus were baptized and added to the church of God. Into new groups and regions the gospel was spreading with great response among those who were ready for a changed life.
Read Genesis 12
The beginning of the story of father Abraham. After hearing the call of God, Abram left his father and security of home in order to and venture into the unknown of following God by faith. At age 75 with no children of his own, God called Abram to begin a nation of people through whom He would bless all nations of people. God's special purpose for Abram was not saying he loved him more than the other people of the world, but it would be through the life and family of Abram that God would demonstrate his love and provision for all the people of the world.
Far from perfect Abram had trouble fully trusting God. It would be a growing relationship that God would nurture. Like a child learning and growing into an adult, Abram was learning to walk with God. Abram would pave the way for all of us in what it means to trust and obey God.
If you get behind sometimes like I do, take a breath and do a little at a time to catch up. These devotions are bit late by the calender, but they may be right on time in your life. Have a blessed day.
May 22, 2014
Read Genesis 10
The family of Noah increased and multiplied. They replenished this earth from the devastation of the flood. Their names became cities, villages, and region names. The legends and stories of humanity increased in each generation and new territory of expansion. From this family all humanity today has its roots. Our DNA and heritage trace back to these children of Noah and their wives.
May 23, 2014
Read Acts 9:1-31
Saul, a life radically transformed. Rarely do we hear of such outrageous conversion experiences. Paul was such a staunch persecutor of the church who had a deadly reputation among the church. The church was afraid to let him be part of the movement after his conversion. It must have seemed too outlandish to believe. Could you imagine in our day a major public opponent of Christianity suddenly turning into a bold evangelist of Jesus?
Saul (Paul) began convincing Jews to follow Christ and thus became a lightening rod of controversy. It was only after Paul was removed to Tarsus that things began to calm down in the region. A radically changed life has a way of disturbing both sides. The group he was joining was skeptical while the group he was abandoning felt betrayed. Paul had moved from persecutor to one of the persecuted in a matter of days and weeks. But he would never back down in his boldness to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
May 24, 2014
Read Psalm 72
The king of Tarshish? Tarshish was one of the great grandsons of Noah found in Genesis 10 through the line of Japheth. Seba and Sheba as well are descendants of Noah through Ham. Verse 11 says that all kings and nations will bow and serve the righteous King. This prophetic song is about the coming Messiah. God has a heart for all people, nations, and tribes under heaven.
The immediate context is about Solomon the son of David. But it ultimately speaks of an even greater king, Jesus, who would reign in the righteousness and justice of God.
May 25, 2014
Read Proverbs 16:18-33
Jewels of wisdom indeed. When given the choice between sitting with the janitors or the bosses, choose the janitors. If you are invited to the head table, then listen more than your speak. If your hair turns gray, praise the Lord that you have lived that long! Let it be a crown of mercy from God and tell of the righteousness of God. When you know it is time to speak, choose pleasant words. These words open the door for instruction. Pleasant words are sweet and healthy for the spirit and body. When given the choice between violent outrage and patient understanding, choose patience. You may live long enough to have a gray hair.
May 26, 2014
Read Genesis 11
The city builders. Early barons of industry and technology were preventing the human race from expanding into all the earth. Making a name for themselves was more important than fulfilling the mandate to fill and subdue the earth.
When God intervened (we don't know exactly how) the building project was abandoned. Groups spread out into new areas taking with them their DNA, stories, skills, and legacy. New languages and dialects would develop. Divisions and languages were God's idea and part of the discipline needed for mankind to spread out over the earth. It would be through one family, one man in fact, that God would seek to bless all the peoples of the earth.
May 27, 2014
Read Acts 9:32-43
Near modern day Tel Aviv Peter performed some of the most amazing miracles that gave credence to the message of Jesus. The raising of Tabatha from the dead was perhaps one of the greatest of his miracles. Peter would go on to stay in this region by the sea for quite a while as a guest in the home of Simon a tanner.
The reputation of the church was increasing with new people embracing Jesus as their Lord and savior. Paul was now in Tarsus in Turkey learning and training. Peter and the other followers of Jesus were enjoying a brief period of local peace to expand the message of Christ.
Read Genesis 9
Rebirth, a new genesis. Now the instruction once given to Adam fell to Noah: be fruitful, multiply, fill and subdue the earth. But there would necessary accountability for every creature that dies at the hand of man. And every human life taken would require accountability as well. God made a covenant with mankind and with all the earth never to destroy all life with the flood waters again. The rainbow stands as God's reminder to us of this promise.
Many other realities would still be in the re-born earth and humanity. Here are a few that are found in this story: Drunkenness, shame, inequality, jealousy, and broken relationships. With evil and rebellion still residing in the heart of man, the story of our beginnings continued from the saved family. A reminder to us all that although we may be saved, our sinful bent still persists. Yet, so does God's grace.
