Hope in the Lord

Psalm 130:1-5  ¹Out of the depths I cry to you, LORD; ²Lord, hear my voice. Let your ears be attentive to my cry for mercy. ³If you, LORD, kept a record of sins, Lord, who could stand? ⁴But with you there is forgiveness, so that we can, with reverence, serve you. ⁵I wait for the LORD, my whole being waits, and in his word I put my hope.

As each year draws to a close, many people begin to formulate resolutions for the coming year.  I once heard that the top resolution is the resolve to lose weight in the coming year.  If I remember correctly that resolution is somewhere within the top 70 percent.  For Christians, another resolution we often consider is one to renew our relationship with our Heavenly Father through personal devotions.  Even with the best intentions we may falter and return to a sporadic devotional schedule.  Why does this happen? Sometimes the answer is simply that we try to do it ourselves or within our own strength, and this seldom succeeds in the long term.

Our text for today is quite clear. If our Heavenly Father kept a record of our sins, how could we survive? He offers the forgiveness we need.  He is our hope and our future. We can count on our Heavenly Father.  If you resolve to deepen your daily spiritual life during the coming year, remember success comes when you place your hope in Him.

Gracious Heavenly Father, our LORD God Almighty,

How we praise you for the gift of redemption from every kind of sin!  May our hope in you spur us onward to desire a closer walk within your will, and more dedication to the reading of your Word.

In the Name of Jesus Christ, our LORD and Savior, Amen.

 

The devotion Hope in the Lord was originally written for Thursday, December 8, 2011; for Maranatha Devotional Guide, an Advent Christian Publication https://acgc.us   As the original author of this devotion, I reserve the right to update and share it on my current devotional blog Write From My Heart at https://writefrommyheartblog.blogspot.com

Email: Dotty Willmon, writefrommyheartblog@gmail.com

Scripture quotations marked NIV are taken from The Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®, Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

 

Complacency is Hazardous to Your Health

Psalm 30:1-12  ¹I will exalt you, LORD, for you lifted me out of the depths and did not let my enemies gloat over me. ²LORD my God, I called to you for help, and you healed me. ³You, LORD, brought me up from the realm of the dead; you spared me from going down to the pit. ⁴Sing the praises of the LORD, you his faithful people; praise his holy name. ⁵For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime; weeping may stay for the night, but rejoicing comes in the morning. ⁶When I felt secure, I said, “I will never be shaken.” ⁷LORD, when you favored me, you made my royal mountain stand firm; but when you hid your face, I was dismayed. ⁸To you, LORD, I called; to the LORD I cried for mercy: ⁹“What is gained if I am silenced, if I go down to the pit? Will the dust praise you? Will it proclaim your faithfulness? ¹⁰Hear, LORD, and be merciful to me; LORD, be my help.” ¹¹You turned my wailing into dancing; you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy, ¹²that my heart may sing your praises and not be silent. LORD my God, I will praise you forever.

Most occupations have at least one modern characteristic in common—just about the time you think you have everything under control, new regulations and mandates arrive just in time to snap you out of potential complacency.  Although frustrating at the time, these little jolts in our quotidian routines can serve a positive purpose in causing us to renew our focus on the task at hand.

In our text for today, we see David beginning and ending the psalm with praise to God.  Notice the verses tucked neatly in the middle which convey the psalmist’s warning.  When everything seemed under control, David was jolted out of his complacency by the realization that he was no longer living within the favor of the Lord.  We, too, realize that veering off course even just a few degrees can gradually cause a complete U-turn to occur.  With the psalmist we can praise God that his anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime! When life lulls us into a state of complacency, God’s faithfulness brings true thanksgiving.

O LORD my God, I will give you thanks forever!

Gracious Heavenly Father, our LORD God Almighty,

Thank you for the times when you shake us out of our complacency. Although we may not recognize it at the time, we humbly and gratefully thank you for your forgiveness and faithfulness.

In the Name of Jesus Christ, our LORD and Savior, Amen.

 

The devotion Complacency is Hazardous to Your Health was originally written for Monday, November 28, 2011; for Maranatha Devotional Guide, an Advent Christian Publication https://acgc.us   As the original author of this devotion, I reserve the right to update and share it on my current devotional blog Write From My Heart at https://writefrommyheartblog.blogspot.com

Email: Dotty Willmon, writefrommyheartblog@gmail.com

Scripture quotations marked NIV are taken from The Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®, Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Many Moods with One Response

Psalm 59:16-17  ¹⁶But I will sing of your strength, in the morning I will sing of your love; for you are my fortress, my refuge in times of trouble. ¹⁷Your are my strength, I sing praise to you; you, God, are my fortress, my God on whom I can rely.

When you feel discouraged; sing praises to God, for He protects.  When you feel disheartened; sing praises to God, for He gives joy.  When you feel lonely; sing praises to God, for He comforts.  When you feel lost or in need; sing praises to God, for He provides.  When you feel exhausted; sing praises to God, for He refreshes.  When you feel abandoned; sing praises to God, for He defends.  When you feel unsettled or uncertain; sing praises to God, for He keeps His word.  When you feel weak; sing praises to God, for He is strong.  When you feel doubt; sing praises to God, for He saves.  When you feel overwhelmed; sing praises to God, for He is mighty.

Sing praises to God and to his name!  Praise be to God!

Gracious Heavenly Father, our LORD God Almighty,

You know everything we face in our daily lives, both joyful and stressful. No matter what our circumstances might be on this day, we pause and praise you for your faithfulness.

In the Name of Jesus Christ, our LORD and Savior, Amen.

 

The devotion Many Moods with One Response was originally written for Wednesday, September 14, 2011; for Maranatha Devotional Guide, an Advent Christian Publication https://acgc.us   As the original author of this devotion, I reserve the right to update and share it on my current devotional blog Write From My Heart at https://writefrommyheartblog.blogspot.com

Email: Dotty Willmon, writefrommyheartblog@gmail.com

Scripture quotations marked NIV are taken from The Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®, Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

To the Tune of "Lilies"

Psalm 45:9-17  ⁹Daughters of kings are among your honored women; at your right hand is the royal bride in gold of Ophir. ¹⁰Listen, daughter, and pay careful attention: Forget your people and your father’s house. ¹¹Let the king be enthralled by your beauty; honor him, for he is your lord. ¹²The city of Tyre will come with a gift, people of wealth will seek your favor. ¹³All glorious is the princess within her chamber; her gown is interwoven with gold. ¹⁴In embroidered garments she is led to the king; her virgin companions follow her – those brought to be with her. ¹⁵Led in with joy and gladness, they enter the palace of the king. ¹⁶Your sons will take the place of your fathers; you will make them princes throughout the land. ¹⁷I will perpetuate your memory through all generations; therefore the nations will praise you for ever and ever.

June is typically a month chosen for weddings.  This devotion was originally written in June, and the  text carries the wedding theme.  There are two particularly interesting details. First, Psalm 45 is set to music, specifically to the tune of “Lilies.”  This must have been a wonderful wedding song.  Also notice there is no need to feel sorry for the bride who leaves her family in order to pledge herself to her husband, for this brings her great gain—his family becomes her family. This is cause for rejoicing!

Our text brings to mind another wedding yet to come.  Revelation (chapters 19, 21, and 22) clearly describes the rejoicing that will occur when Jesus Christ returns as a bridegroom to claim his beautifully adorned bride—those redeemed through His own blood!   The sound of “a great multitude, like the roar of rushing waters…shouting, Hallelujah! (c.f., 19:6)” will be the grandest of all wedding songs.

Gracious Heavenly Father, our LORD God Almighty,

Thank you for the redeeming blood of Jesus Christ that provides for us wedding garments of fine linen, bright and clean.  May we be fully prepared when the Bridegroom soon returns!

In the Name of Jesus Christ, our LORD and Savior, Amen.

 

The devotion To the Tune of “Lilies” was originally written for Monday, June 6, 2011; for Maranatha Devotional Guide, an Advent Christian Publication https://acgc.us   As the original author of this devotion, I reserve the right to update and share it on my current devotional blog Write From My Heart at https://writefrommyheartblog.blogspot.com

Email: Dotty Willmon, writefrommyheartblog@gmail.com

Scripture quotations marked NIV are taken from The Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®, Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

The Easiest Test You'll Ever Take

Psalm 137:1-5  ¹By the rivers of Babylon we sat and wept when we remembered Zion. ²There on the poplars we hung our harps, ³for there our captors asked us for songs, our tormentors demanded songs of joy; they said, “Sing us one of the songs of Zion!” ⁴How can we sing the songs of the LORD while in a foreign land? ⁵If I forget you, Jerusalem, may my right hand forget its skill.

During high school years, I recall the teacher warning the class; “Don’t worry—if you follow directions, it will be the easiest test you’ll ever take.” The day of the test came; instructions were clear, “Remember—read everything first before you begin.”  After a few minutes, many students turned in their papers.  I struggled for a long time.  I discovered to my dismay the last question gave instructions to place your name on the paper and turn it in for an “A” – all other papers would be graded.  I did not pass the test because I did not follow directions.

Our initial response to today’s text may be dismay or sympathy for the musicians held in captivity longing for their beloved Zion.  I am not inclined to be so easy on them when simple obedience of a nation could have averted their plight.  While it is commendable for the musicians to resist polluting songs reserved for Zion on enemy ears, we must remember failure to be an obedient people led to the musicians’ predicament in the first place. Following the LORD’s directions and keeping his instructions could have saved years of captivity.

Gracious Heavenly Father, our LORD God Almighty,

Remind us that obedience to Your will is the easiest test we will ever take.  If we follow Your directions, we can endure uncertain times with inner peace as we await Your soon return.

In the Name of Jesus Christ, our LORD and Savior, Amen.

 

The devotion The Easiest Test You’ll Ever Take was originally written for Tuesday, May 31, 2011; for Maranatha Devotional Guide, an Advent Christian Publication https://acgc.us   As the original author of this devotion, I reserve the right to update and share it on my current devotional blog Write From My Heart at https://writefrommyheartblog.blogspot.com

Email: Dotty Willmon, writefrommyheartblog@gmail.com

Scripture quotations marked NIV are taken from The Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®, Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

 

Those Who Love the Lord

Psalm 97:10-12  ¹⁰Let those who love the LORD hate evil, for he guards the lives of his faithful ones and delivers them from the hand of the wicked. ¹¹Light shines on the righteous and joy on the upright in heart. ¹²Rejoice in the LORD, you who are righteous, and praise his holy name.

The Bible provides numerous references of responsibility for the Christian to love their enemy.  We are to pray that they, too, might come to accept Christ as their Savior.  However, in today’s world it is too easy to become so tolerant of evil that it is no longer as shocking to us as it should be.  Filthy or foul language pervades many of the television shows and movies we watch; yet is it enough to make us stop watching?  We are called as Christians to be disgusted by evil.  It should shock and dismay us.  It should cause us to pray for those who are lost without Christ.  As Christians, we are called to discipline our lives to walk in the light of God’s love.  Deeper still, we are called to love God in a way that brings glory and honor to His Name.  Acceptance and toleration of evil fails to honor God in any way.

Gracious Heavenly Father, our LORD God Almighty,

Open our eyes to evil in such a way that while we are disgusted by it, we are disciplined enough to pray for the salvation of the lost.  May the life we live bring honor to Your Name.

In the Name of Jesus Christ, our LORD and Savior, Amen.

 

The devotion Those Who Love the Lord was originally written for Monday, March 28, 2011; for Maranatha Devotional Guide, an Advent Christian Publication https://acgc.us   As the original author of this devotion, I reserve the right to update and share it on my current devotional blog Write From My Heart at https://writefrommyheartblog.blogspot.com

Email: Dotty Willmon, writefrommyheartblog@gmail.com

Scripture quotations marked NIV are taken from The Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®, Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Parameters for Freedom

Psalm 119:41-48 ⁴¹May your unfailing love come to me, LORD, your salvation, according to your promise; ⁴²then I can answer anyone who taunts me, for I trust in your word. ⁴³Never take your word of truth from my mouth, for I have put my hope in your laws. ⁴⁴I will always obey your law, for ever and ever. ⁴⁵I will walk about in freedom, for I have sought out your precepts. ⁴⁶I will speak of your statutes before kings and will not be put to shame, ⁴⁷for I delight in your commands because I love them. ⁴⁸I reach out for your commands, which I love, that I may meditate on your decrees.

During my many years as a teacher, one of my first lessons for each new group of students was that my students would have a lot of freedom in my classroom as long as they obeyed the rules.   I wanted my students to understand that the ultimate purpose of rules and guidelines was not to create a hardship, but to create a safe learning environment.  I always had very few “rules,” most of which focused on respect and responsibility for both the individual student and the classroom as a team.

When we look at our passage for today, we see a similar outline in God’s plan for us.  God’s plan is only restrictive in the negative sense for non-believers.  Yet for those who choose obedience to God’s will, His Word provides freedom, comfort, and hope.  God’s Word provides rules and guidelines to help us focus on respect for God’s holiness and our responsibilities as Christians.  When we seek to remain within the parameters of God’s word, we find ample freedom throughout our daily walk with Him.

Gracious Heavenly Father, our LORD God Almighty,

Thank you for your Word that shows us your expectations for God’s people. Thank you for the truth of your Word, which is never a hardship for those who love you. Thank you for the freedom, comfort, and hope your Word provides.

In the Name of Jesus Christ, our LORD and Savior, Amen.

 

The devotion Parameters for Freedom was originally written for Sunday, February 20, 2011; for Maranatha Devotional Guide, an Advent Christian Publication https://acgc.us   As the original author of this devotion, I reserve the right to update and share it on my current devotional blog Write From My Heart at https://writefrommyheartblog.blogspot.com

Email: Dotty Willmon, writefrommyheartblog@gmail.com

Scripture quotations marked NIV are taken from The Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®, Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

 

When the earth and all its people quake...

Psalm 75:1-3  ¹We praise you, God, we praise you, for your Name is near; people tell of your wonderful deeds. ²You say, “I choose the appointed time; it is I who judge with equity. ³When the earth and all its people quake, it is I who hold its pillars firm.”

We are warned through the teaching of Christ that the end times will bring war, famines, earthquakes, and other events of “great distress,” (c.f., Matt. 24:7).  How ironic the writing of this devotional followed barely one year after an earthquake virtually devastated the island of Haiti.  Tens of thousands died in the event affecting those from the poorest homes to the presidential palace itself.  Although years have passed since then, we still remember this was most certainly a time of great distress, and even yet today mission groups are helping to rebuild homes and structures on the island.

In the face of such tragedy, praise be to God our Heavenly Father, who is our source of strength and stability.  He created the world and everything in it.  When the earth and all its people quake, HE will hold its pillars firm (vs. 3).  God will provide the structural support for our daily lives, too, if we will but call upon His name.  Then with joyful hearts we can join the psalmist in giving thanks to God!

Gracious Heavenly Father, our LORD God Almighty,

We give thanks to you, O God; we give thanks for your Name is near!

In the Name of Jesus Christ, our LORD and Savior, Amen.

 

The devotion When the earth and all its people quake... was originally written for Friday, January 14, 2011; for Maranatha Devotional Guide, an Advent Christian Publication https://acgc.us   As the original author of this devotion, I reserve the right to update and share it on my current devotional blog Write From My Heart at https://writefrommyheartblog.blogspot.com

Email: Dotty Willmon, writefrommyheartblog@gmail.com

Scripture quotations marked NIV are taken from The Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®, Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Anticipation

Hebrews 13:12-21  ¹²And so Jesus also suffered outside the city gate to make the people holy through his own blood. ¹³Let us, then, go to him outside the camp, bearing the disgrace he bore. ¹⁴For here we do not have an enduring city, but we are looking for the city that is to come. ¹⁵Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that openly profess his name. ¹⁶And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased. ¹⁷Have confidence in your leaders and submit to their authority, because they keep watch over you as those who must give an account. Do this so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no benefit to you. ¹⁸Pray for us. We are sure that we have a clear conscience and desire to live honorably in every way. ¹⁹I particularly urge you to pray so that I may be restored to you soon. ²⁰Now may the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, ²¹equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

As any summer draws to a close, many students already begin to anticipate the start of the next new school year.  I suppose their minds are full of questions: Who will my new teacher be? What will my classroom look like? For some students, the questions might be: Will I be able to find my room?  Will I remember my locker combination?  I still chuckle when I remember years ago, one of our sons went back to school to find his jacket. I was waiting out in the car for what seemed an inordinately long time; and when he finally came out to the car he explained that he went to his previous year’s classroom by mistake and couldn’t find his jacket. Then he remembered the right classroom. If I am honest, I did not find joy in waiting for my son that day.

Today’s passage reminds us of another kind of anticipation.  This anticipation brings joy to every Christian. Truly we are looking for that Blessed Hope – “the city that is to come” (v. 14).  So perhaps for us, the questions should be: Will I be ready? Have I done all that I can to make sure others are ready? Have I used my time wisely for the Lord?

Gracious Heavenly Father, our LORD God Almighty,

Thank you for that Blessed Hope.  May we work faithfully for your kingdom with eager anticipation.

In the Name of Jesus Christ, our LORD and Savior, Amen.

 

The devotion Anticipation was originally written for Wednesday, August 4, 2010; for Maranatha Devotional Guide, an Advent Christian Publication https://acgc.us   As the original author of this devotion, I reserve the right to update and share it on my current devotional blog Write From My Heart at https://writefrommyheartblog.blogspot.com

Email: Dotty Willmon, writefrommyheartblog@gmail.com

Scripture quotations marked NIV are taken from The Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®, Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.