January 22: Psalm 80:1-6
Key Verse: Psalm 80:6
You have made us an object of derision to our neighbours, and our enemies mock us.
Devotion:
As a Christian who loves to step forward and help out whenever I can, I can relate to these words from personal experience! Sometimes doing a little goes a long way and huge rewards come from that little amount of work, whilst other times you feel like you are going far and beyond what would normally be required just for a little reward – or even no reward!
This is where many Christians fall short because they expect the rewards from what little they are able to do and they want the rewards as soon as they have done anything! From experience, I know this is not the case; not because God does not want us to have the rewards but because we live in a wicked world where other things are in play as well as our work for God.
I have found there is not always the time or need for a reward for the work you do with or for God. Sometimes it is enough that we are able to do the work at all. When we are working in a world in which we are surrounded by evil, we have to put up with a whole lot of opposition from the people around us just because we dare to do something different to them!
God wants us to be the lights in dark places – which means we are going to come up against many things as we work for God. This will be opposition, hard times, not enough time, not enough money, all manner of things. But we must continue to do what God is asking of us and not to give in to what the world is telling us is not possible or not allowed. God wants us to be the difference. God wants us to be the change. God knows how much we can put up with and does ask a lot of us at times – but he is always there to help us in those times!
Points to Ponder:
Do you feel like giving up?
Can you remember how much Jesus had to do?
January 21: Mark 3:13-19
Key Verse: Mark 3:13
Jesus went up on a mountainside and called to him those he wanted, and they came to him.
Devotion:
Jesus personally chose the twelve disciples. I think many people would have been trying to follow Jesus at the time and, as the custom at that time, they would call Him teacher and do whatever He said so they could learn as much as possible. They, and many more, had seen Him drive out demons, heal people and would come to see people being brought back to life! This is the power He wanted the disciples to have – but He knew they would not achieved their full potential because of their doubts.
Jesus had no doubt about who He was and how much could be accomplished by God. He depended fully on His Father so others would see how they too could get this power from God – as long as they would acknowledge it coming from God and not anything they were doing.
This is the power He shared with them, and taught them to use. This is the type of power He wants us to be able to share in too – not because He has chosen us to be His personal disciples, but because He is giving us power through us being dependent on Him. If we continue to listen and obey, He will continue to listen to our prayers and answer them. This is where the power of healing and authority comes from – not because we are special in any way, but because we ask God to do this.
Even though Jesus chose these twelve people, one of them would turn their back on Jesus and betray Him. Jesus knows not all of us are going to do all we can, because we do have doubts and we do give in to temptations. But He still offers us the same position as those He knows will go all the way with Him. He gives us all equal chance to ask Him to answer our prayers!
Points to Ponder:
How often do you doubt your prayers will be answered?
Will you remember Jesus chose you?
January 20: 1 Samuel 18:6-9
Key Verse: 1 Samuel 18:7
As they danced, they sang: ‘Saul has slain his thousands, and David his tens of thousands.’
Devotion:
After David had killed Goliath, there was no longer any doubt God could accomplish much more than man could alone. The people started to sing and dance celebrating the fact David was able to accomplish what none of the greatest soldiers could do – just because he trusted God! But Saul, on the other hand, took it very personally people were singing more about David than him!
Once people have tasted strength and power, no matter how they have gain said power and strength, have a greedy thirst for that power unless they fully acknowledge where they get the power from. This strength and power may not be to go forward and beat great armies, it could just be to be able to run an effective business. God is the one who has given us the intelligence and foresight to do many things and if we are willing to acknowledge it comes from Him, then we will see greater success than if we try to do things ourselves.
David lifted up God instead of himself. He refused the earthly armour and took God with him. He put aside the powers of man and took up what God had given him, a simple slingshot and a few stones. He depended on the things God had taught him, preparing him for the moment he would face the Philistine alone.
If we are willing to depend on the things God has given us and not focus on the worldly treasures we think we need, we may well find much more strength at the right moment, just when it is needed. I do try to rely more on God and I do try to listen to Him as much as I can. I still get distracted and I still make wrong choices from time to time, but when I have made the right choice to give the praise and honour to God, I find things do go a lot smoother.
Points to Ponder:
Do you trust yourself and your ways?
Will you try trust God’s ways?
January 19: Psalm 144:1-4
Key Verse: Psalm 144:3
Lord, what are human beings that you care for them, mere mortals that you think of them?
Devotion:
I love reading through verses which are attributed to king David. To me he was a ‘normal person!’ Yes he was chosen by God to be king of Israel, but he was also a humble shepherd boy to start with. He was a man who led people to God, yet he made silly mistakes. He spread Gods word, but still tripped and fell making others falter too. This is what it is like to be human – both god and bad things happen!
David knew God as his strength and purpose. He knew God was leading him when it came to keeping the country safe. He knew God was training him to be the mighty king he was. He knew God was the strength behind everything which kept him going in the face of adversity. He knew God protected him in ways he could only dream of!
He also knew he was just a human being, mortal and frail. He knew he would face things he could not overcome, but God could if he depended on Him and listened to obey. He knew he was a nothing, but also knew God was there with him, making him a mighty king. He knew his life was just a drop in the ocean… but God made a special point of making sure David understood He was there for Him always!
These are the type of words we need to go back to when we are feeling low, damaged or hopeless. These are the words God has given us to make sure we do understand He has us in the palm of His hands. These are the words to give us hope for a strength which goes far beyond our understanding and beyond what we think is logical. Because, this is God we are talking about!
Points to Ponder:
How do you see yourself in God’s eyes?
Will you move forward with hope today, knowing God is watching over you?