What do we know that is surer than death and taxes?
1 May 26
Today's devotional: taken from YouVersion, Devotions on F.I.R.E. Year One
Readings:
1 Kings 1
1 Kings 2
Luke 22:54-71
I tell you, Peter, the rooster shall not crow this day before you will deny three times that you know me (Luke 22:34).
What do we know that is surer than death and taxes?
Peter is abounding with self-confidence. Earlier that day he had told Jesus, “Even if I have to die with You, I will not deny You!” (Matthew 26:35). The self-assured fisherman should have recalled Jesus’ following statement before he made his bold proclamation: “Heaven and earth will pass away” declares Jesus, “but My words will by no means pass away” (Matthew 24:35). Jesus’ prediction about Peter comes to pass because He cannot lie (Luke 22:60-61). His promises are wrapped up in His perfect nature. Because He not only speaks truth, but also is truth, we can rest assured knowing that “the entirety of Your word is truth, and every one of Your righteous judgments endures forever” (Psalm 119:160).
Employment Point: Submit to God’s Word because it is true.
————————-
Reflections
Firstly a blessed Labour Day! Hope you have a good day to rest!
“The king then took an oath: “As surely as the Lord lives, who has delivered me out of every trouble, I will surely carry out this very day what I swore to you by the Lord, the God of Israel: Solomon your son shall be king after me, and he will sit on my throne in my place.””
1 Kings 1:29-30 NIV
- I picture a king that is without fear, even though his other son had declared himself as king, David neither shakes or worries about the future. This is treason. Instead, He just abide in the Lord’s commands to make Solomon king, something that the Lord has already set in place.
- May we be like king David who, when faced with difficulties or challenges, too have no fear for we have a god who is bigger than our troubles!
In 1 Kings 2, we read how David handed over the pending matters that cannot be resolved in his time to Solomon and told Solomon in his wisdom to deal with those men who had caused trouble and disobeyed the Lord’s anointed. And Solomon in his wisdom dealt with those people as per David’s request but at the same time, leaning on the Lord for His timing, not rushing to deal with everyone at the same time.
I felt that the same is for us. Sometimes waiting is good so we take the time to reflect and meditate on God’s Word and His calling and let Him guide our next steps.
“The Lord turned and looked straight at Peter. Then Peter remembered the word the Lord had spoken to him: “Before the rooster crows today, you will disown me three times.” And he went outside and wept bitterly.”Luke 22:61-62 NIV
- There is truth in every word spoken by the Lord. No doubts about it. He knows us even better than we know ourselves. So when we do hear a warning from the Lord, we really need to be buck up and be mindful. To humble ourselves and to come to Him in repentance and forgiveness. The Lord has been gracious to us, giving to us multiple chances. Sometimes, we so wasted all of it and set about doing it our way.
- Father may You guide us and have mercy upon us sinners who knows no better and who thinks we are better than we think we are. Humble us Lord so we recognise our places.
““If you are the Messiah,” they said, “tell us.” Jesus answered, “If I tell you, you will not believe me, and if I asked you, you would not answer. But from now on, the Son of Man will be seated at the right hand of the mighty God.” They all asked, “Are you then the Son of God?” He replied, “You say that I am.””Luke 22:67-70 NIV
- Maybe we are like these people too. The Lord has told us the truth, but we just refuse to see that or believe it. How then can we have a relationship with the Lord if we do not believe what He says.
- Father may You guide our thoughts as we read what You are telling us, to really sit at Your feet and meditate upon Your words. Let it be carved upon our hearts so that we will not doubt on the truths that was spoken.
————————-
Faith, Not Emotion
BY OSWALD CHAMBERS
May 01
For we live by faith, not by sight. — 2 Corinthians 5:7
At times, we are conscious of receiving God’s attentions; we feel the light of his inspiration shining upon us, and we delight to do his will. But when he begins to use us in ways we don’t like, putting us to work at tasks that seem lowly or unimportant, we take on a pathetic attitude. We begin to talk about trials and difficulties, not understanding that God wants us to do our duty in obscurity.
None of us would work in spiritual obscurity if we had the choice. We’d prefer to be illuminated saints, with gilded haloes shining about our heads, on display for all to see. But gilt-edged saints are no good. They are unfit for daily life and completely unlike God. We are men and women, not half-fledged angels. We are here to do the work of the world, and to do it with an infinitely greater power of endurance than those who haven’t been born from above.
Can we do our duty when God has shut up heaven? If we’re always trying to recapture rare moments of inspiration, it’s a sign that it isn’t really God we’re after. Instead, we’re making a fetish of a feeling, insisting that God deliver that feeling to us again and again. How many of us simply refuse to do anything until God inspires us? He never will—not until we take action. God wants us to walk by faith. He wants us to get up on our own, without the touch of his inspiration. When we do, we have the surprising revelation that God was there all along.
Never live for the rare moments. They are God’s surprises. God will give us the touch of inspiration when he sees we aren’t in danger of being led astray by it. We must never make moments of inspiration the standard for our lives. Our standard is our duty.
WISDOM FROM OSWALD
There is no condition of life in which we cannot abide in Jesus. We have to learn to abide in Him wherever we are placed.
————————-
Reflections
From what I gathered from Oswald’s writing, the Lord often inspires us or prompts us to do something. Only by taking action with that inspiration in mind, will we then be able to see puzzles falling into place.
Too many times we tend to overthink or procrastinate or even overdo things which the Lord had never told us to do. We just proceed to do the things which we think, was what He commands us to. But let’s not forget that the Lord never confuses. He is super clear on instructions and what His direction is. He will grant us that shalom peace or that stirring if He really wants us to do something and will not rest once that is done.
The problem is that we sometimes have those feelings mixed up. Thinking obstacles are challenges and “chiong” ahead to what we think is His will. Believing too much that we are right and didn’t stop to pause and ask Him for confirmation. I did that once and looking back, I thank the Lord for protecting me against the many dangers I may have exposed myself to. I took a detour and was eventually led back to the original path set for me.
Through those times, I have learnt that it is better to slow down. Not rushed. Not forced but just flow with the Lord. He is always with us, regardless if we knew it or not.
Let’s pray:
O Heavenly Father, we thank You for being our good good Father. For being our lighthouse whenever we aren’t sure, and for guiding us back onto the right paths for Your name’s sake. Help us to build our faith day after day, and to grow deeper roots so we can stand firm in times of trouble. Help us not to be afraid for You are with us and for us. Praise You Lord. To God be the glory! 🙌🏻
Comments
Post a Comment