Tag: God

The Heart of the Matter

Numbers 33-34

Psalm 23

Mark 7

-Devotion by Emilee Christian (MO)

We’ve all heard the saying, “it’s the thought that counts.” Intentions matter. That’s what Jesus is getting at in today’s scripture reading in Mark 7. 

Jesus tells the Pharisees actions without heart mean nothing. He quotes Isaiah 29:11 saying, “These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me” (NLT). It got me thinking about how easy it can be to practice routine spiritual disciplines without our hearts being fully present. The spiritual disciplines I’m referring to include tithing, regular church attendance, praying before meals, communion, prayer, worship, and reading of scripture. These are the things that easily become mundane for the longtime practicing Christian. It’s important to find ways to mix things up once in a while. We can easily get stuck hamster wheeling through the motions without taking the time to really consider what it is we’re doing. Taking a break from your normal routine can reignite your passion. When we feel like we’re going on autopilot, switching things up, practicing our spiritual disciplines in different ways, helps us refocus on the task and approach it with a renewed attitude. 

I understand not everyone’s mind works like this, so I’ve created a list of suggestions. This week I encourage you to choose one discipline to switch up. See if the task means more to you. If you get more out of the experience. Or, perhaps you’ll learn just how much you enjoyed doing it your way, which will hopefully renew your heartfelt intentions. The goal of this challenge is to bring yourself back to the heart of why we do what we do, by pausing and re-evaluating your intentions. 

Tithing 

  1. Write your check at a different time than normal. If you’re always doing your check right before the plate is passed, try preparing it at home first. If you always come with your check prepared, try writing it during the worship service. I personally really enjoy tithing during services. To me, there’s something intimate about listening to the worship music, getting on my phone and checking my pay stubs, doing quick math on the back of a bulletin, then placing my check in the offering box. 
  2. Include your children in tithing. This may be by encouraging them to put their own money in the plate, or giving them something to put in the offering. I still remember the feeling of importance I got as a little girl whenever I dumped my change into the offering. It felt good to give to God and made me feel part of something bigger than myself, even if all I contributed were pennies. 

Church Attendance 

  1. Go to service at a different time if your church offers multiple services. 
  2. Sit somewhere else during the service. 

Praying Before Meals

  1. If you typically pray silently, pray aloud.
  2. If your family is the fold hands type – try holding hands to pray. 
  3. Put your hands in a different position. 
  4. Start your prayer off with thanking Him for one specific blessing you experienced since your last meal. 
  5. Have your family take turns saying the prayer. 

Communion 

  1. If you know it’s communion Sunday, sit somewhere else during the service so you are taking communion in a new environment. 

Prayer

  1. Pray aloud.
  2. Pray at a different time in the day.
  3. Put your hands in a different position.
  4. Start a prayer journal. Or just simply write down your prayers. 
  5. Create a prayer chart with a white board. 
  6. Pray when you are bored or waiting. This is how we learn to pray without ceasing and be in constant conversation with God. 
  7. Take yourself to a quiet place and pray on your knees.
  8. End your prayer time with a worship song. 
  9. Pray with your children.
  10. Pray with your spouse.
  11. Pray in public. Without being the annoying guy in Luke 18:9-14. For example, you could end your coffee date with your friend by praying for her right there in the shop, quietly in the corner taking a private moment together. 

Worship

  1. If your church is a standing and singing church, sit down during a song, bowing your head in prayer. 
  2. Don’t sing. Listen to the words. 
  3. Do sing! Even if you are no good and you think no one wants to hear your voice – God does. 
  4. Do a mini worship session in the car on the way to work. Turn on the local Christian radio, or play some of your favorite worship music. 
  5. Take a Sunday off from leading worship if you’re part of the worship team. Sometimes it can be nice to simply be a part of  the service instead of leading it. This also may give the opportunity for others in your church to step up and serve. 

Reading of Scripture

  1. Sit someplace else in your house for your quiet time.
  2. Take a break from what you are currently reading. It’s okay to flip to a different part of the Bible, or a different devotional book. Doing it just for the sake of doing it and saying you completed something is exactly what Jesus was accusing the Pharisees of doing. 

Questions: 

  1. Which challenge are you going to choose? 
  2. Give yourself a heart check. Are there areas of your faith that have become mundane? 

Prayer –

based on the lyrics “The Motions” by Mathew West

Dear God,

I don’t want to go through the motions. I don’t want to go one more day without your all consuming passion inside of me. Let your love make me whole. 

In Jesus’ name, 

Amen. 

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Walking on Water Again?

Numbers  29-30

Psalm 22           

Mark 6

– Devotion by Tom Siderius (MI)

Mark 6:45-52 Immediately after this, Jesus insisted that his disciples get back into the boat and head across the lake to Bethsaida, while he sent the people home. 46 After telling everyone good-bye, he went up into the hills by himself to pray.
47 Late that night, the disciples were in their boat in the middle of the lake, and Jesus was alone on land. 48 He saw that they were in serious trouble, rowing hard and struggling against the wind and waves. About three o’clock in the morning Jesus came toward them, walking on the water. He intended to go past them, 49 but when they saw him walking on the water, they cried out in terror, thinking he was a ghost. 50 They were all terrified when they saw him.
But Jesus spoke to them at once. “Don’t be afraid,” he said. “Take courage! I am here!” 51 Then he climbed into the boat, and the wind stopped. They were totally amazed, 52 for they still didn’t understand the significance of the miracle of the loaves. Their hearts were too hard to take it in.

Mark! What’s the deal with saying our hearts were too hard???  Why would God have you write that in your gospel??

The official line about the gospel of Mark is that Peter and other original apostles are the source of the material he writes from.  They tell him what happened and then he writes it down. We need to ask ourselves so many times when reading these records about what was Jesus trying to teach his apostles and disciples?  Then what is the lesson for us in the recalling of them? 

The trip on the sea of Galilee that includes another walk on the water by Jesus comes after feeding 5000 men plus women and children (maybe 15-20K people).  He uses such the small amount of food to start with.  So many questions come to my feeble mind.  How did Jesus ever break up that much bread or fish?  How did God multiply the food to fill baskets full?  Where did the baskets come from?  Who ate the leftovers and for how long?  So many questions on these records.

What was the apostle’s reactions to helping to break and hand out the food to that many people?  Jesus says “you feed them” to the apostles.  Which is exactly what they proceed to do.  What should they and we learn from the experience besides astonishment at the event? 

I believe that the lesson for us and those disciples there is that God is the source of all blessing and sufficiency.  God alone is the giver of all that is good and fruitful, the only source of true food and health for all the people of the world.  Our very food we eat is only because of the grace and mercy of God to give it to us.  Jesus looks to God and then blesses this small amount of food, making it sufficient to do the humanly impossible.  What great power of God is at work in Jesus’ life and is still available to us today. 

Christians must bring their lives to God in an attitude of obedience and sacrifice. When we do this, we need to expect God to do far beyond what can be imagined.   We should trust that God not only wants to meet our needs, but that He wants to give to us with overflowing spiritual blessings.

Are our hearts too hard to believe our God’s promises?  “Hardened” here is to be “petrified” or maybe should mean “calloused”.  Our habits of life that don’t believe the promises of God cause our hearts by repetition to become calloused to the truth.  We develop a lifetime set of beliefs that doesn’t believe that God can do anything very miraculous.  We start to believe miracles and all that Jesus stuff died out with the apostles and isn’t that important today. 

We say we have faith but prove that we don’t by our actions and speech.  “You feed them” is what Jesus tells us to do, but we say, “OK we will, but here’s our few loaves and fishes.  Don’t blame me when it really doesn’t work out. I’ll do it but I don’t really believe that it will work with my resources.”  When we pray for someone to be delivered or healed are we really standing in our confidence of God’s help or do we just go through the motions?

I know that one of my lazy habits is to excuse my prayers by telling God that I will pray for people, but because I really don’t know what to pray for, I will just put them up before God and then go on with my life.  Ever been confronted with a specific situation that is right there in front of you with no apparent answers to it?  How did you react?  Our first habit needs to become the truth of God’s Word for us, not the calloused habit of our hearts to give Him our excuses.

So, I thought we were going to look at the walking on the water event.  More questions come to mind.  Why does Jesus send them off across the lake without him and just go pray by himself?  What happens that changes their hearts so much from this experience of the waves and wind?  Here they are again in a situation that faces them head on and close in.  No amount of rowing or sail handling will get them out of it.  Remember that they were experienced fisherman with a great deal of boat handling and weather experience.  “Jesus don’t worry about us we have it handled, have some confidence we are the experts”.  But once again we and they don’t really have it.  For the apostles it is that if God can feed the five thousand then He does have the answers for every situation. 

What is the lesson of the waves?  Once again that God has our care in place, and we need to put our trust in His promises.  Jesus says he will ever be with us to the end of the earth.  This is his church and he is building it and taking care of it.  We are not really in charge of what we think we are.  We are confident every minute until the wind and waves are overwhelming.  How many times God saves us from disaster and even death. 

Ephesians 3:20(NLT) Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think.

Psalms 22:22-24(NLT) I will proclaim your name to my brothers and sisters.
I will praise you among your assembled people.
23 Praise the LORD, all you who fear him!
Honor him, all you descendants of Jacob!
Show him reverence, all you descendants of Israel!
24 For he has not ignored or belittled the suffering of the needy.
He has not turned his back on them,
but has listened to their cries for help.

Questions:

See bold questions above

Prayer:

Father God, come to us with your promises and give us the heart that hears them and will believe You.  Thank you for the records of Your Word to give us confidence to do Your will.  Help us to see the Christ-in -us that will give us strength to act and speak.  Thank you that Your will is still to feed and save people from destruction.  Be with us this day as we hear you with our hearts.  In Jesus’ name we pray.

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Where are you looking?

Num 21-22

Ps 20

Mark 4

~ Devotion by Cayce Fletcher (SC)

Cayce Fletcher is a wife and homeschool mom of three. She writes and podcasts at amorebeautifullifecollective.com where she helps women cultivate a life of depth, discipline, and delight. Read the latest post on finding beauty in the everyday here. 

The Israelites are approaching the end of their 40th year wandering in the desert. The older generation had passed away, and the new generation was rising up and being prepared to enter the Promised Land. 

At the end of Numbers 21, Edom had refused passage to the Israelites, so the people were forced to take the longer way back around the Red Sea. In the quintessential Israelite fashion, they began to complain about Moses’s leadership and the ‘worthless food’ they were eating. So, God sent ‘fiery serpents’ to attack the people. 

Why fiery serpents? The word ‘fiery’ here is seraph. This could mean a venomous snake – whose bite would sting. But the word seraph is interesting. Fire throughout the Old Testament is often used to describe God’s judgment and holiness. By sending a fiery snake, God was inciting judgment on the Israelites for their complaints. 

Why fiery serpents? Ever since the Garden of Eden, serpents are synonymous with evil. Why would God send those to the people? David Christensen writes, “The serpents point to “Egyptian symbolism.”” The people had desired Egypt and its God, so God effectively sent them these things. But, of course, the effect of this is the opposite of what the people wanted. When the people get what they desire, it results in death. 

This is true for us as well. Sometimes, we desire what we should not. We complain. We get bitter. We think, if only I could have that instead of the worthless things around me. But when we get that desire, it results in death. James 1:14-15 describes it like this: “But each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.”

Thankfully, our salvation mirrors the salvation found in this passage. Moses was told to put a bronze serpent on a stick, to lift it up, and anyone who looked at it would be healed. John 3:14-15 says, “Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, that everyone who believes may have eternal life in him.” 

Left to our own desires and devices, we will follow a path that ends in death, but when we look to Christ as our sacrifice, savior, and King, we will find the path to eternal life. Where are you looking today?

Reflection Questions

  1. Why do you think the Israelites wanted to go back to Egypt despite all they had seen? 
  2. Why do you think God sent the fiery serpents as a punishment? 
  3. How do you see yourself in the story of the Israelites? 

Prayer

Dear Lord, 

Thank you for the sacrifice of your Son, whom we can look to for eternal life. Help us to follow after you in obedience and reverence. Let us not turn away to our own desires. Help us to flee from them and run towards you. 

In Jesus’ name,

Amen.

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Peace Or I’ll Squash You

Numbers 15-16

Psalm 18

Mark 3

–Devotion by Emilee Christian (MO)

When I was a little girl, my mom got her tonsils removed. My brother, sister, and I were all very young, probably all under the age of ten. The healing process of a tonsillectomy is intense, especially for adults. It is recommended you refrain from talking while in recovery. One day, while my mom was resting in bed, us kids played in the basement. We must have woken up Mom because I distinctly remember seeing her round the corner of the basement steps looking angry and disheveled. She held up two fingers, indicating the peace sign. Then, she clapped her hands very loudly. We later learned the clapping was to get our attention, since she was unable to talk. However, we all understood her message as, “Peace or I’ll squash you!” I can still picture it in my mind, today. Never had we been more afraid of Mom than in that moment. You can bet we played quietly afterwards! 

Now, my mom is not a violent person. Spankings were used sparingly in our household. We look back on that memory now and laugh. Yet I will never forget the way I felt receiving the “Peace or I’ll squash you” message. The fear and awe, wondering what exactly she meant by squashing but knowing I don’t want to find out. This was mixed with the knowledge that she is my mother who loves me dearly and whom I love in return. I have since come to realize that is the same fear and awe in which we should approach God. God loves us. Immensely. But He does have the ability to squash us. 

The fear of the LORD isn’t a hide behind a rock shaking and afraid sort of fear. It’s a healthy reverence. It’s recognizing God’s power over our lives, His ability to do miraculous things. It’s respect. 

We see a lot of God’s power in our readings today. We see his power to punish the wicked in Numbers and Psalms. Psalms 18:7-15 is an incredible visual describing God’ s power and sovereignty over nature. We see how God has power over our problems and our enemies as David tells of how the LORD delivered him. We see God’s power over demons working through Jesus Christ and His power to heal in Mark 3. Finally we see His power to forgive sins, explained in Mark 3:28 and throughout Numbers. 

So, what do we do with this knowledge of God’s power? Well, I think the answer is in Numbers 15:37-41. We would do well to remember. To not forget God’s great power. To look to Him as David looked to Him to be our supporter, our rock, our light as is described in Psalms 18. The LORD knew our fickleness. Our ability to forget. That’s why he instructed the Israelites to wear the tassels, to serve as a physical reminder. I believe we, today, could benefit from physical reminders as well. Our “tassles” may look different than they did back in Bible times. Maybe it’s a bible verse as our lockscreen on our devices or a notecard taped to the bathroom mirror. Maybe it’s a piece of jewelry you wear everyday. Maybe, not to get too controversial here, it’s a tattoo. Or, maybe, it’s a piece of decor someplace prominent in your house you’ll see everyday. Or it could be a bumper sticker you see every time you get into your car. A stone you carry in your pocket. A keychain on your keys. A water bottle or coffee cup with your favorite verse. A pen you use everyday.  

We should apply the idea of tassels to our own lives. In doing so, may we be humbled by this. May it lead us to stand in awe of God’s great glory. May we come to a healthy fear of LORD. 

Reflection Questions

  1. How would you explain the fear of the LORD to someone? How is it different from the fear in 1 John 4:18?
  2. Do you have a “tassle”? What is it? If not, what can you do to create one?

Prayer

Dear Heavenly Father, 

Thank you for your might, your strength, and your goodness. Thank you for your instructions. For keeping our best interest at heart. May we remember how great You are. 

In Jesus’ name,

Amen.

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Jesus and the Law

Numbers 13-14

Psalm 18

Mark 2

-Devotion by Emilee Christian (MO)

I love Jesus. I don’t just mean that in the way I have dedicated my life to him etc etc, but also in the same way you might discuss your favorite characters on TV.  I love the way Jesus acts. I love his role in God’s great plan. He’s compassionate, level-headed, and kind of snarky. He’s real, he tells it like it is. I like that in my story characters, in my friends, and in my Savior. 

We get a real juxtaposition in our scripture, today. In Numbers 13 and 14 we see an angry God, fed up with his people’s unfaithfulness, ready to strike. Then we get this moment from Mark 2, where Jesus is eating with sinners and says “Healthy people don’t need a doctor – sick people do. I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners.” (verse 17 NLT). It is this same God who rebuked the Israelites, punishing an unfaithful generation never to enter the promised land, that sent this Jesus in Mark 2. 

I have always had a fascination with the continuity of the Bible. I like for things to make sense. I have humbly come to the realization there are simply some things about God we will never be able to comprehend or understand. Yet, I think Mark 2:18-28 helps clarify this juxtaposition between Jesus, the Law and the angry God we see in Numbers. They aren’t meant to contradict one another. Jesus says so himself in Matthew 5:17: “I did not come to abolish the law of Moses or the writings of prophets. No, I came to accomplish their purpose.” (NLT). Traditionally, the purpose of Mosaic law was to set apart God’s people from other nations, protection (we see this in many of the food and clean/unclean laws), and ultimately to show that sin needs a solution. Therefore, if the purpose of the law is to show there is a sin problem and Jesus is the accomplishment of said purpose, he must be the sin solution. This idea is supported in Mark 2 as Jesus essentially tells the Pharisees certain aspects of the law are no longer relevant as he has come to dwell amongst the people (v 18-20). In fact, now that he has come, there are new laws that should be put into practice. We can read a lot of these teachings from Christ’s sermon on the mount found in Matthew 5 – 7. 

In Mark 2:22, Jesus says, “And no one puts new wine into old wineskins. For the wine would burst the wineskins, and the wine and skins would both be lost. New wine calls for new wineskins.” (NLT). Basically, Jesus is saying the old ways of doing things aren’t going to work anymore. It doesn’t mean the old ways were bad, just as the old wineskins themselves once had value. However, they are no longer needed. The Mosaic law served its purpose during its time. Jesus is here now. His teachings call for new wineskins. 

He drives this point home in the final verses of this chapter. When criticized about how his disciples were spending the Sabbath day he exclaims, “The Sabbath was made to meet the needs of people, and not people meet the requirements of the Sabbath. So the Son of Man is Lord, even over the Sabbath!” (v. 27 & 28). I believe this is an example of a synecdoche, a figure of speech where the part of something is used to refer to the whole thing. In this case, the Sabbath is representative of the law. Substitute the word Sabbath with law and this becomes quite the powerful statement. 

In Jesus we see how God can be “slow to anger, and filled with unfailing love, forgiving every kind of sin and rebellion. But does not excuse the guilty” (Numbers 14:18). Jesus is the answer. He is the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies and law. It is beautiful and poetic. Best of all, it is real.  

Reflection Questions

  1. What do you love about Jesus? What do you love about God?
  2. How would you describe the role Jesus plays in God’s great plan?
  3. Are you more often the one who thinks they are righteous or the one who knows they are a sinner?
  4. Do you believe Jesus is the answer? If so, how can you share the Jesus answer with others?

Prayer

Dear God, we praise You for being a God of perfect character and we thank You for Your Son Jesus. You created him with so much for us to love about him. Help us see You and Your Son clearly and Your plan of salvation that You have been working on through the ages. We know so much has been fulfilled already, and more is yet to come. Help us love You and follow Jesus well so we are ready to be his bride.

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Ultimate Source of Peace

Numbers 11-12

Psalm 17

Mark 2

-Devotion by Andy Cisneros (SC)

Good morning! Continuing with our topic from Psalm 17, God as our ultimate protector and source of peace. How can we know that what we are asking for is right? How do I know that He will listen? David answers these questions all through Psalm 17. Yesterday, I gave you 5 things David says to do to find refuge in God. Each from the first five verses. The next 4 are from varying verses from the chapter.

6. Experience God’s Unfailing Love

David is looking and seeking God’s love and protection: “Show the wonders of Your loving devotion, You who save by Your right hand”-Psalm 17:7. This is a reminder of how much God loves us. A love that is steadfast and unwavering. Experiencing His love transforms our lives and empowers us to love others. Not only that but you feel safe when you are loved. When the God of the universe loves you, you know you can rest.

7. Find Security in God’s Protection

David finds security in God’s protection, describing it as being hidden “in the shadow of Your wings” (Psalm 17:8). This picture reassures us of God’s protection and care, offering us a safe and secure haven when life’s storms hit us. We can rest in the knowledge that God is our shield and defender. You have found refuge.

8. Recognize the Futility of Worldly Pursuits

The psalm compares and contrasts the nature of worldly pursuits with the eternal satisfaction found in God: “They are satisfied with children and leave their abundance to their infants” (Psalm 17:14). This lesson encourages us to focus on eternal treasures rather than temporary gains, finding true fulfillment in our relationship with God. Paul does the same thing that David is doing here in Ephesians 1:3 when he says “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places”. This verse also contrasts temporary earthly prosperity to spiritual blessings.

9. Anticipating the Joy of God’s Presence and our Resurrection

David concludes with a hopeful anticipation of being resurrected at Christ’s return: “When I awake, I will be satisfied with seeing Your likeness” (Psalm 17:15). When he says “when I awake” he is expecting to die and be raised to new life. That is his hope. This final lesson inspires us to look forward to the ultimate joy of being with God, and his son Jesus where we will experience complete satisfaction and joy in His presence for eternity.

Reflection Questions

Is God your refuge? How much peace do you have?

Are you doing these things?

What are some ways you can apply these principles today?

Prayer

Father God my prayer this morning is that we know how to take refuge in you. That we apply these principles to our lives and live with the joy, acceptance and peace that you give us each day. May we be active in seeking out your will. In Jesus’ name.

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Hear, O Lord

Numbers 9-10

Psalm 17

Mark 1

-Devotion by Andy Cisneros (SC)

There is so much uncertainty in life. So many things to handle. It can make your heart race. That’s why we need to find our refuge in God. In Psalm 17, David begins by asking God to hear his cries. He has also confirmed that what he is asking for is right. He says, “Hear, O LORD, my righteous plea; listen to my cry” (Psalm 17:1). This teaches us to move towards God’s presence and guidance in confidence. He is our ultimate protector and source of peace. How can we know that what we are asking for is right, and that He will listen? I think David answers these questions all through Psalm 17. Let’s take some time in the next couple days to see what David says to do to find refuge in God.

1.Have Faith that God Knows What He is Doing

David recognizes God’s justice, trusting that God will judge rightly. “Let my vindication come from Your presence; may Your eyes see what is right”-Psalm 17:2. This verse encourages us to trust in God’s righteous judgment instead of seeking revenge or justice on our own. God sees all and will act justly in His time.

2. Show Your Heart to God

Sometimes we hide from God. Nothing is secret from Him. David speaks of his commitment to living a life of integrity, saying, “You have tested my heart; You have visited me in the night”-Psalm 17:3. This is a call for us to pursue a blameless life, striving to align our actions with God’s will. When we do this, we are an open book to what God wants to do in our life.

3. Watch and Listen to What You Say

David highlights the importance of guarding our speech: “I have resolved that my mouth will not sin”-Psalm 17:3. This lesson is a reminder to be mindful of our words, ensuring they are edifying and truthful in all areas of our lives. Sometimes we are so hard on others. Sometimes we are mean to ourselves. Our speech should reflect the love and truth of Christ, building others and ourselves up rather than tearing down.

4. Guard Your Paths

Have you expressed your commitment to following God’s ways: “My steps have held to Your paths; my feet have not slipped”-Psalm 17:5. This encourages us to walk confidently in God’s paths. Always relying on His Word and Spirit as our guide. By doing so, we can navigate life’s challenges with confidence and assurance.

5. Confidently Ask

David’s relationship with God is marked by confidence in prayer: “I call on You, O God, for You will answer me”-Psalm 17:6. This verse shows us how to approach God with boldness, knowing that He hears and answers our prayers. Our confidence in prayer is rooted in our faith in His promises and His unfailing love. Do you have confidence in God? Do you come to Him in right standing? In humble obedience?

Tomorrow we will continue in Psalms 17 

Reflection Questions

  1. Is God your refuge? If so, what do you already do to find refuge in God? If not, do you want Him to be your refuge?
  2. Which of these steps speaks loudest to you as something you need to do more and more?
  3. Do you have confidence in God? Do you come to Him in right standing? In humble obedience?

Prayer

This morning let’s pray that you can RELAX, knowing that God wants you to succeed. That He loves you. Father, please give us a quiet confidence to be able to rest in the knowledge that you are a good God. My prayer is that our hearts are open to you. That you see us and we see you. Amen

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My Chosen Portion

Numbers 7-8

*Psalm 16

Mark 1

-Devotion by Andy Cisneros (SC)

Good morning! Yesterday we meditated on Psalm 16:4. Where David underlines his radical preference for God by putting it negatively. He values God so highly, he will not dare to run after other gods. “The sorrows of those who run after another god shall multiply; their drink offerings of blood I will not pour out or take their names on my lips.” In other words: it is sheer stupidity to turn away from the all-satisfying God only to embrace gods that leave you sorrowful in the end. No, I will never do that. I won’t even put their names on my lips.

Then in Psalm 16:5, he returns to the declaration of verse 2: “I have no good apart from you.” Here he puts it positively: “The Lord is my chosen portion and my cup.” In other words, if there are a hundred portions of food and drink spread out on the table, and one of them is the LORD himself — he is my choice. Nothing satisfies; nothing nourishes and sustains — the way he does. He is my greatest good. My treasure of all treasures. My highest pleasure. My chosen portion of sirloin. My cup of finest wine.

Then later in verse Psalm 16:5, he returns to what he has said in verse 2. He said, “I say to the LORD (Yahweh), ‘You are my Lord (Adonai).’” He declared that God was his master and higherup or sovereign. Here in verse 5 he does the same: “You hold my lot.” In other words, when the dice are rolled, and the straws are drawn, and the wheel is turned — whatever happens to us comes from the hand of God. God holds my lot. God decides it. God rules over it. God is my sovereign, and I am glad to have it so. I don’t just affirm it nonchalantly; I live in it with excitement.

In Psalm 16:6, he shouts out what this means for him. Because God holds his lot, “The lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; indeed, I have a beautiful inheritance.” The “lines” here are probably borderlines, the borders or boundaries God has appointed for him. They may be figurative, or literal, or maybe both. I tend to say the borderlines may be figurative because the phrase “pleasant places” is a single Hebrew word that means “pleasures.” It’s the very same word as the one in Psalm 16:11 translated “pleasures”: “At your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” The translation here in Psalm 16:6 should maybe be: “The lines have fallen for me in pleasures, I have a beautiful inheritance.” The “pleasant places” (of verse 6) may be not so much good acreage in Palestine, but the place at God’s right hand, as verse 11 says. “The lines have fallen for me in pleasant places” would then be: “Your sovereign goodness has fenced me in to God himself. The borders of my life are boundaries around where God is.” And when he adds, “I have a beautiful inheritance,” the ultimate meaning would be: God. God is my inheritance, and He is beautiful. That’s where Psalm 16:11 leads us. Where are you being led today?

Reflection Questions

  1. Is God your inheritance? If so, why is that a beautiful inheritance? If not, why not?
  2. What does it mean to you to say, “The LORD is my chosen portion and cup”?
  3. How would you describe your relationship with God, how valuable He is to you, and what benefits you receive because of your relationship with Him?

Prayer

Dear Lord God, help me to see how incredibly worthy You are to receive my praise, worship and adoration. Help me to see, but never experience, where I would be without You. Help me to not take You and my relationship with You for granted. May my life show that You are my portion and my cup – I chose You and You sustain me and give me all I need for life. I rely on You. Thank You for being my God.

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You are my Lord

Numbers 5-6
Psalm 16
Matthew 28

– Devotion by Andy Cisneros (SC)

This morning, I would encourage you to read Psalm 16:1-4. When you are done reading those verses focus on this question. Do you think of the consequences of your choices? Psalm 16:4: “The sorrows of those who run after another god shall multiply; their drink offerings of blood I will not pour out or take their names on my lips.” What happens if we choose another god besides the true God? Another ultimate good, another Lord, another delight, another treasure? What happens is multiplied sorrows. “The sorrows of those who run after another god shall multiply.” David has already found his good; he’s already found his delight; he’s already found his treasure. He’s not on a search anymore. Are you? David’s quest is over. Is yours? It’s over. I have found him. I have found my Good. I have found my Lord. I have found my delight. I have found my treasure. It’s over. I’m not running anymore after anything else. There’s nothing but trouble there. “I have no good apart from you.” The Lord is my good. I’m not shopping around. My quest is over.

What happens when you make your choice to follow God but the temptation to return to old gods is there. “Here’s another god; here’s another good; here’s another delight; here’s another treasure.” David’s response is, “I won’t even drink it. I won’t even take their name on my lips.” “Their drink offerings of blood I will not pour out. I will not even take their names on my lips.” These alternative gods, these alternative delights, these alternative toys. I’m not going to touch them. I’m not even going to get close or talk about them. I have found the all-satisfying treasure. Why would I choose multiplied sorrows?

I think verse 4 is what David was asking to be preserved from in verse 1. When he said, “Preserve me, O God,” what’s he asking to be preserved from? And the answer is verse 4. “Preserve me, O God.” I take refuge in you. I’m running to you as my good. I’m running to you as my treasure. I’m running to you as my delight. I am running to you. Preserve me from being drawn away to these other gods. Preserve me from failing to be satisfied in you this morning.

“This is the battle of the believer’s life: to have God as our good, to have God as our delight.”

I wonder if you pray like that. I wonder if you fight like that. That is just about all I do. This is the battle of real and satisfying life: to have God as our good, to have God as our delight, to have God as our treasure. And the world is saying, “No, I’m better!” So what else is there to do but fight? Verse 4 is what he’s pleading. “Preserve me, O God.” Don’t let me be drawn away to these other gods.

Psalm 90:14 is on my lips just about every morning. “Satisfy me in the morning with your steadfast love!” Is that your steady prayer? “Your steadfast love is better than life” (Psalm 63:3). Oh, don’t let me be more satisfied with anything else than with you. That’s the battle. Verse 1 calls out to persevere; verse 4 states the danger. You make the call on which road you will live. Be blessed today.

Reflection Questions

  1. What other goods, lords, treasures, delights have you found yourself running after? How is God better than each of these?
  2. What multiplied sorrows result in following after any of these others?
  3. What has God already preserved you from?
  4. Today, what do you specifically ask God to preserve you from?

Prayer

Dear God Almighty, “You are my Lord; apart from you I have no good thing.” Help me to say it, believe it and live it every day. Thank you for preserving me from _______. Save me, Lord, from the sorrows and dangers of following after anything else the world dangles in front of my eyes and heart. Help me see clearly You, Your wisdom and truth and what You desire for my life. Make me strong in You against the temptation of _____________.

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