Job 38:22-27
“Have you entered the storehouses of the snow or seen the storehouses of the hail, which I reserve for times of trouble, for days of war and battle? What is the way to the place where the lightning is dispersed, or the place where the east winds are scattered over the earth? Who cuts a channel for the torrents of rain, and a path for the thunderstorm, to water a land where no man lives, a desert with no one in it, to satisfy a desolate wasteland and make it sprout with grass?”
When my wife and I were first married, we lived in a house by a lake. When thunderstorms would come through, you could see them getting closer from miles away. I would love to shut all the lights in the house and sit on the front porch to watch them.
Then, when we moved to Maryland, we lived in a townhouse. I had to walk a couple of blocks to a playground for an open view to the west. I could watch the storms from there. Usually, I was able to time it pretty well – I knew exactly when to start running home so I would make it before the downpour hit.
I do enjoy watching a thunderstorm approach – it reminds me that there are things in this world beyond our control. It is easy to see that truth illustrated by the weather. In society, where electricity, cars, and computers put the illusion of control at our fingertips, it is harder to grasp that concept. Usually we only realize how frail we are when something breaks down or a natural disaster occurs.
We need to place our whole lives in God’s hands. Only then will we be secure from the storms of life. We can then watch the approach with the confidence that comes from knowing that we are safely sheltered in His unshakable arms. Whether you have done it in the past or not, today would be a good day to go before God and place your whole life in His care – you will be glad that you did.
Tags: Bible, Christian, control, devotion, disciple, distractions, downpour, encouragement, faith, fear, God's faithfulness, God's hands, God's protection, overcoming, prayer, prepare, problems, protection, storms, thunderstorms, trust, victory, weather
Jesus was arrested, just before the crucifixion. Then He was taken to the high priest for questioning. At this point in the narrative Luke makes an interesting comment about Peter.
Luke 22:54
Then seizing him, they led him away and took him into the house of the high priest. Peter followed at a distance.
This is the same Peter who said he would die with Christ, if necessary. The one who was always so outspoken about his faith in the Lord. Yet, here he is seen shrinking back into the shadows.
This begs the question about our walk with Jesus. We are always so quick to point out that we follow Christ. What does that mean to you? The real question is, “How closely are you following?” Peter was following Him, but far enough away so that it wasn’t obvious that he was with the Lord.
So often we don’t want it to be seen that we are different from the world. We want to blend in with society. We don’t want to get too radical in our Christian walk. Is that the way it’s supposed to be?
I believe that if we’re going to follow Christ, then we must live openly for Him. Even the most casual observer should be able to recognize that there is a difference in how we go about our daily routines.
People aren’t shy at all about using foul language, or other ungodly activity. Christians, on the other hand, are so worried about “offending” anyone. We should not be afraid of praying or talking about Christ in public. We need to stop following Him at a distance.
Tags: Bible, blending in, Christ, Christian, Christian witness, devotion, disciple, distance, encouragement, fear, following, following Jesus, God's will, Jesus Christ, overcoming, prayer, problems, public prayer, shrinking back, shy, testimony, trust, victory, walk with Jesus
2 Corinthians 1:8-10
We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about the hardships we suffered in the province of Asia. We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired even of life. Indeed, in our hearts we felt the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead. He has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us. On him we have set our hope that he will continue to deliver us.
It is my hope and prayer that you are never in a life-threatening situation. I know, however, that weather, accidents, and natural disasters can come when least expected. It seems like everyday there is something going on in the United States that could have tragic results. If and when that occurs, you will be faced with a choice – do you despair and give up or do you continue to put your hope in God?
I have been in that kind of situation. I know what it feels like to be trapped by an unforeseen incident with no way out and no help in sight. It is truly in those times of need that God proves Himself faithful. I can say, without hesitation, that God has never abandoned me to my problems.
The key to making it safely through a future problem is to make the choice now, that whatever happens, you will not abandon your trust in God. You will find that He is always there with you to help you in your time of need. In your prayer time today, reaffirm your trust in the Lord to take you through the hard times. Place your life fully in His hands.
Tags: accident, Bible, Christian, Christian witness, deadly, despair, devotion, encouragement, fear, God's faithfulness, God's love, hope, hope in God, natural disaster, overcoming, peril, prayer, prepare, problems, protection, strength, trust, victory, weather
Isaiah 42:10-11
Sing to the LORD a new song, his praise from the ends of the earth, you who go down to the sea, and all that is in it, you islands, and all who live in them. Let the desert and its towns raise their voices; let the settlements where Kedar lives rejoice. Let the people of Sela sing for joy; let them shout from the mountaintops.
Being on a mountaintop always gives me an exhilarating feeling. It is hard thing to describe all the sensations that accompany it. I cannot fully express them to someone who has never seen the clouds blowing by beneath their feet, or felt the wind whipping over the peak, or stood in awe to see the breathtaking landscape spread out before them. Just being there evokes such a feeling on the inside that I want to burst out in praise to my God.
Sometimes, when I am alone on a peak, I will sing or pray out loud to the Lord. At those times, the presence of the Spirit of God is undeniable. I challenge you to look for those opportunities. We must seek out the times when God makes His presence especially real to us.
Maybe you have never heard yourself pray, praise God, or sing out loud before. Don’t let timidity stop you from experiencing a breakthrough in your Christian walk. Try it out the next time you find yourself alone in God’s presence, even if it feels a little uncomfortable at first. You will find that there is an awesome revelation of God when you praise Him audibly. Experience it for yourself. See the joy and freedom that fills your heart as you open up in His amazing presence.
If this has helped you, write me a comment about what you experienced.
Tags: awe, Bible, breakthrough, Christian, devotion, disciple, encouragement, fear, fellowship, freedom, higher, Holy Spirit, holy worship, joy, mountain, mountaintop, out loud, overcoming, power, praise, presence of the lord, shout, shout to the Lord, victory
Matthew 26:45-46
Then he returned to the disciples and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and resting? Look, the hour is near, and the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. Rise, let us go! Here comes my betrayer!”
I always stand in awe of how determined Christ was to accomplish the work He was called to do. After His time in the presence of the Father we see no hesitancy or fear. He has set His face toward the path ahead.
I realize that, unlike us, He had no sin nature. However, it is clear that He keenly felt the sting of His mortality. I believe that He also understood clearly the pain that He would have to endure. It was these realizations that brought Him to His knees in the garden.
What I really need to grab hold of is the understanding that it is only in the presence of God that I can receive the strength and determination that it takes to move forward in my life. All of my will power and good intentions will never bring me to my destiny in the Lord. I need help from beyond myself.
Seeking intimacy with the Lord is time well spent. Use this peaceful moment that you have been given to get into that place of safety in God. In that way – just like Jesus – you may leave your time in the wilderness physically drained, but you will be spiritually strong.
Tags: Bible, calling, Christ, Christian, destiny, devotion, encouragement, endurance, faith, fear, God's faithfulness, God's will, Holy Spirit, holy worship, intimacy, Jesus Christ, mortality, path, prepare, presence of the lord, strength
What does that mean? Should I be afraid of God? Is He watching for any slip so He can zap me?
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline.
Proverbs 1:7
The fear of the Lord is misunderstood by many people. I have talked to Christians who were so very afraid that they would mess up even a little. They think that God is watching them so closely that if they make the smallest mistake, they will be penalized severely.
Fortunately that’s not what it means to walk in the fear of the Lord. The best illustration I ever saw was a show about people who cut diamonds for a living. The show chronicled the diamond from when it went on the auction block to when it’s stones ended up in the fine jewelry shop.
The winning bid was about 3 million dollars for this large diamond. The jeweler was sure that he could more than triple the value by the way he cut it up into smaller stones. What happened next surprised me. I expected him to immediately begin the process of cutting the diamond. Instead, he took the first three months to simply study the diamond. He basically stared at the diamond for hours a day, making notes, drawings, and plans for the cuttings he would perform. With a stone that valuable, he didn’t want to do anything that would ruin it.
That is a picture of the fear of the Lord. I am not afraid that God is going to get upset at me and hurt me. On the contrary, my relationship with God is so important to me that I fear anything coming to disrupt it. It is so valuable to me that I don’t want to ruin it. I want to walk before God in such a way that our fellowship grows daily.
Cultivate a true fear of the Lord. Meditate upon how valuable it is to be in relationship with Him. Then let that attitude motivate you to live a reverent life before Him.
© Nick Zaccardi 2012
Tags: afraid, Bible, Christian, devotion, diamond, faith, fear, fear of the Lord, fellowship, God's faithfulness, God's will, growth, Holy Spirit, Jesus Christ, prepare, presence of the lord, relationship, reverent, valuable, value
Psalm 46:4-6
There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy place where the Most High dwells. God is within her, she will not fall; God will help her at break of day. Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall; he lifts his voice, the earth melts.
Yesterday I posted about the fact that there is nothing certain in this world. Our trust, hope, and expectations must abide elsewhere. We need to fix our eyes on the heavenly kingdom.
No matter what kind of trouble this world faces, the power of God remains secure. The river of life will never fail. If we remain in Christ, then the things that shake this world around us will not affect our walk.
Rising gas prices, economic failures, terrorist threats, and global warming are just a few of the issues that have nations in turmoil. Through it all, the kingdom of God is still secure. No matter what happens I know that the grace of the Lord can still reach me. I can come to this river at any time for sustenance and refreshment.
We can face the uncertainty of life without fear. This only comes from the knowledge that our feet are securely in a kingdom that is not of this world.
Spend time meditating upon the faithfulness of God. Think about the times He has brought you through the difficulties you have faced in the past. This should inspire praise and worship before Him. Then, take your future and commit it into the Lord’s hands. Only then will you have true security.
Tags: Bible, Christian, devotion, encouragement, faith, fear, glory, God's faithfulness, grace of God, heavenly kingdom, Holy Spirit, hope, praise, presence of the lord, problems, protection, security, strength, trouble, trust
I Kings 19:3-4
Elijah was afraid and ran for his life. When he came to Beersheba in Judah, he left his servant there, while he himself went a day’s journey into the desert. He came to a broom tree, sat down under it and prayed that he might die. “I have had enough, LORD,” he said. “Take my life; I am no better than my ancestors.”
Elijah is probably one of the most powerful Old Testament figures. Through him, God performed incredible miracles to turn Israel around. Yet at this point in his life he was ready to throw in the towel. He actually prayed for God to take his life.
What could cause such an uncompromising individual to leave the race? The answer lies in the first line. “Elijah was afraid.” The evil queen, Jezebel, had ordered his arrest and execution. Fear had gripped his heart in spite of the presence of God in his life.
How many times do we lose sight of our calling when faced with the overwhelming problems of life? We need to take the same path that Elijah took – but not the same attitude. We need to run to the place of solitude with God and pour out our heart in prayer.
Just like Elijah, we need to admit our faults and failings. Only the Lord is able to meet the need of our inner man.
Use this time to seek the Lord’s help for the challenges you face. Confess your failures and trials. God stands ready to enfold you in His arms. Allow His strength to work in you the restoration that is needed.
Tags: afraid, attitude, Bible, calling, Christian, devotion, distractions, Elijah, encouragement, enemies, faith, fear, giving up, God's faithfulness, God's will, Jezebel, mountain, mountaintop, overcoming, presence of the lord, problems
Ephesians 3:12
In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence.
Christ bought for us the ability to stand clean before our God. There is now no more guilt, no more condemnation, and no more fear.
When starting a new project or activity, if you know that you are prepared, there is a sense of freedom and confidence. No matter how difficult the task is that you have chosen, there is no fear, only excitement and anticipation.
That’s how it is with the Lord. He has provided us with all that we need to approach the throne of a holy God. Equipped with that knowledge, we can put forth the faith that draws us near to His matchless presence. As His Spirit moves upon ours, we can be free from the worry of shame, humiliation, or judgment.
Spend time with the Lord today. Approach the throne of grace with the confidence that comes from knowing that your sins are forgiven and that you are a new creation in Christ Jesus. Find in His presence the freedom and confidence that God promises to His children. Then take what you receive and live it out in the world around you.
Tags: Christian, condemnation, confidence, devotion, encouragement, fear, freedom, presence of the lord
The Spirit and the Word 