August 26: Mark 7:24-30
Key Verse: Mark 7:28
“Lord,” she replied, “even the dogs under the table eat the children’s crumbs.”
Devotion:
Jesus may have had a very busy mission and being continually in demand must have added to His stress and fatigue all the time; but He still stopped and listened to people in need. When was the last time someone asked something of you just when you wanted to have a bit of a rest? This reminds me of the parable where Jesus talked about a friend knocking on the door very late at night and asking for bread... Would you get up out of bed and go to them to help?
When we hear of a friend in need, we often go out of our way to help them – but what happens when a stranger asks for you help? Do you stay tucked up in bed and ignore the plea for help, or do you get up and go to see how you can help or even if you can help?
This woman came to meet Jesus and ask for help because she was at her wits end; her daughter was possessed by a demon (though she called it an impure spirit) and Jesus was not going to let that go by without helping. This woman's faith was on display because she came to beg Jesus to help – this was the only thing she thought left which could help!
Often we allow the people around us to get to the bottom of the barrel (so to speak) before we stop and offer to help. Sometimes we need to stop and offer to help before they get so desperate. Listening to God and following the Holy Spirit can help us to identify people who are in need – people God knows need the help and people who are willing to place their own faith in Christ.
Points to Ponder:
Do you ignore pleas for help until it's too late?
Will you stop and look around to see if someone needs your help?
August 25: Proverbs 18:10-14
Key Verse: Proverbs 18:10
The name of the Lord is a fortified tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.
Devotion:
The people of this world who are full of false pride soon meet up with the reality of the world and their pride is dashed to pieces. The rich and wealthy look to their money as their safe haven, but if that should falter in any way they feel like their world is collapsing in on them; much the same as the people full of their own pride. But we have a safe haven in Christ which cannot be broken down and cannot be removed by anything from this world.
If a proud person has anything happen which causes them to doubt themselves, their world collapses in on itself. If the rich person has cause to doubt their financial stability, they feel like things are going to collapse. If we, as Christians, doubt our faith, we too feel like the faith we have is crashing down around us... But therein is the difference, the pride of the proud is dashed and cracked; the finances of the rich melt away, but Christ remains strong and a firm foundation we can go back to when we realise it is just our faith and nothing more which is at fault!
We need to remember God is above all else and will never be brought down by any of His creation; and since He created us all, we cannot bring Him down. What do can do and seem to do far too often is bring down the faith of the people around us by doing stupid things and doubting ourselves. We have no reason to doubt God!
When we get sick, we often can get through it and come out the other side feeling much better and even stronger. But when our faith is tested, when our spirits are broken, we find it very difficult to come back without a lot of help. Christ is here waiting to help us no matter what we have gone through!
Points to Ponder:
How often do you feel spiritually down?
How long does it take you to be encouraged by God's Word again?
August 24: Luke 22:24-30
Key Verse: Luke 22:27
For who is greater, the one who is at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one who is at the table? But I am among you as one who serves.
Devotion:
Just when the disciples were getting the hang of Jesus being Lord of Lords, He says something like this to them while eating the last supper they would have together. This was Jesus’ way of showing them how to be humble with others – no matter how much we think of ourselves, we should also be lifting up others to positions they cannot think of!
Jesus was lifting up the disciples to be like the judges of old, the prophets and leaders before Israel chose a king. These men who had been little else than fishermen and the like were now being told they have a place at the table of the King of Kings, one where He is willing to serve them!
I don’t know if you have had a job of serving others, but it can be seen as rewarding even though you are doing all the hard work. At boarding school, some of us would be chosen to serve some of the seniors at special meals. It was not a task to take lightly, but one we would look forward to because it was something different and we may get noticed if we did the task well.
Jesus was trying to show the disciples they had to go forward with the right attitude. Not as a slave working for nothing, but a person trying to show others they are worth something and show them a new hope. As Christians we should be willing to be servants who take the word of God out to others, showing them they have hope and a new reason to live! Christ has shown us the way – we should do what we can to emulate Him.
Points to Ponder:
Are you willing to serve?
Will you serve to the best of your ability?
August 23: Psalm 149:1-9
Key Verse: Psalm 149:6
May the praise of God be in their mouths and a double-edged sword in their hands
Devotion:
When we do put on the whole armour of God, we are able to stand firm in our faith because we see the evidence of all Christ has done and continues to do in our lives. Knowing this we surely must praise Him for everything and in everything.
I continue to be amazed at how much God does in my life. It’s not because I keep on having to beg Him for things but more because He continues to show His love for me by doing things in my life before I have to ask for them. We can read through our bibles and see how much of this happens to people who place their faith and trust in Him. We can see how many people are blessed because they believe the scriptures and they try to apply them into their own lives.
God loves us all, but when we do things according to His will, He has a special place in His heart for us. When we love and obey Him, He is faithful and just to answer our prayers. When we keep Him close to us, we are able to see how much He does do in our lives. This is not just a coincidence – this is the love of God in action.
The psalmist here recognises how important it is to praise the Lord for everything He does. Not just the miracles which happen, but every little facet of our lives which show us how He loves us. Stop and look around you. Stop and recognise just how much God is doing in your life right now. We need to examine our lives a bit more closely to find out just how awesome our God really is – and then praise Him!
Points to Ponder:
How often do you praise God?
How often do you stop to look at everything praiseworthy in your life?