February 4: Psalm 23:1-6
Key Verse: Psalm 23:2
He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters,
Devotion:
Well it’s been a while since I shared Psalm 23, so it’s about time again. So many people do find comfort in the words of this Psalm as the writer recounts how amazing it is to have a God who really does care for us. No matter how hard life gets, God is always going to be with us and helping us through those times. I never really understood how much comfort Gods can give me until I was in desperate need, not once or twice but several times – so I know God is looking out for me all the time.
The obvious time was when I was in hospital and people close to me were being told I may not make it through the night; but I was not at all worried because I knew God was with me. I continue to marvel at the comfort He gave me when so many around me were finding things difficult. I owe a lot to a few good nurses who reminded me about my God!
Then there were the times when I knew I had done wrong and still God let me know He was with me, waiting patiently for me to come back to Him. When I see soldiers with this Psalm written out on their helmets or in a book with them I can totally relate to them because they, like me, have found out how good our God is!
God does this so we can be a light which shines brightly in the darkest of times. With that light shining we can help others to see the light and to draw near to God. We don’t have to convince them with amazing philosophical arguments saving how real He is; we just have to show people we are happy with what we have been given by God. They will then seek Him in some way where He will be able to open their hearts to the truth you and I know.
Points to Ponder:
Do you find life difficult at times?
Have you tried asking God to allow you to meet with Him during those times?
February 3: Hebrews 13:1-9
Key Verse: Hebrews 13:2
Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it.
Devotion:
I do have to laugh at some who say we should all be like brothers and sisters because I know of too many brothers and sisters who have fought tooth and nail for a long time! What people do tend to miss out is to say we should be like brothers and sisters IN CHRIST! There is a big difference between worldly people and Christians!
We don’t know everyone around us because we do meet strangers from time to time. We don’t know if God has brought them to us for a reason or whether we are supposed to show them something which God needs them to see… but if we do spend a bit more time listen to God and waiting for answers, just maybe we will be able to do what He wants us to do with those around us instead of treating them like the world does.
God really does want us to be examples for the world to see and think about – what use are we if we look like everyone else? We need to stand out from others so people ask themselves why we are different; that will give us the opportunity to tell people why we are different and allow them to discover a life with Christ. That is what the author is talking about here in these verses – being the example people look up to!
God has always been the perfect example for us to look up to, but sometimes we struggle with looking up to Him because He is so perfect; sometimes we think too lowly of ourselves to realise others can look up to us. God has set us aside as Christians for for a reason. Don’t take you life lightly!
Points to Ponder:
What makes you different?
Do you think anyone can see a bit of Christ in you?
February 2: Hebrews 12:18-21
Key Verse: Hebrews 12:21
The sight was so terrifying that Moses said, ‘I am trembling with fear.’
Devotion:
When Moses got to see the real power of God, he was very afraid of what God could do to the people of Israel if they made Him angry. He went out of his way to try and make sure the people of Israel followed God and kept His commandments; but he also knew they would not be able to fully keep all of the commandments which made him seek the truth even more than he would have done so.
This is what seeing the true power of God should do. It should not make us quake in our boots and fear every step in case we do something wrong, it should make us seek Him more to find out the truth. The more I read the bible and find out what God wants from us, the more I want to know and the more I seek to try and convince people they should be doing the same.
God does not want us to be so afraid we are too scared to come to Him. He does not want to be a tyrant whom nobody wants to get to know. He wants us to seek Him and to draw closer to Him every day. He wants to show us the righteous path and to make our lives a bit better for knowing Him.
When we get too scared of someone we try to avoid them and stay out of their way. This is not what God wants in a relationship between Him and you. He wants you to draw closer to Him all the time so He can protect you and guide you. God wants us to be His children who are willing to go to Him for guidance and protection...
Points to Ponder:
Who do you fear in your life?
Will you draw a bit closer to God to belay that fear?
February 1: Psalm 103:13-18
Key Verse: Psalm 103:17
But from everlasting to everlasting the Lord’s love is with those who fear him, and his righteousness with their children’s children
Devotion:
One of the things about being a parent is you get to know your children a whole lot better than they think you do! Of course there are always exceptions where a parent does not love and nurture their child or children and so do not get to know them very well, but they are normally the exception. The more we draw closer to God, the more He can love and nurture us… He does not need to love and nurture us to get to know us any better but He does!
For us to get to know our children we have to spend time with them and learn the hard way. The better the relationship with our children the more we get to know about them and the closer we are to them. The same can be said for us toward God. We could just sit back and accept He loves us, but the more we get to know Him and the more we love Him, the closer our ties become and the better the relationship with Him.
We can get to the end of our tether and get mad at our children. We can get so mad we draw away from them and lose touch with them, but God’s love cannot be measured in any earthly terms. He never steps back from us because we are the ones who step away from Him. The way we can stay closer to Him is through following His will in our lives and obeying whatever He asks of us. The closer we are the more likely we are to follow His will and the more likely we will be able to hear Him when He tries to tell us something...
Points to Ponder:
How close are you with your family?
How close are you to God?