DevoToday.com

To the faithful you show yourself faithful, to the blameless you show yourself blameless, to the pure you show yourself pure, but to the devious you show yourself shrewd.
Psalm 18:25-26

I remember when Kim and I bought a Dodge Durango (“truckasaurus” as it became known) several years ago. Before then I don’t think I ever noticed a Dodge Durango on the road. But once we owned one, we saw them everywhere.

Our faith can be like that, too. Before we believe, God is this overlord who doesn’t seem to control the things that would help us… Yet when we believe, we see his grace and action everywhere.

Our own beliefs frame what we see and how we interpret it’s worth. Through our faith, we continue to see the good works of God around us.

Be God’s — every day.

Praise the LORD, my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name.

Psalm 103:1

Praise is what happens when we actively submit. We recognize the Lordship of God, and use our words, actions, and more to give praise.

The Psalmist tells us that priase captures our entire being.  Our body, our mind, our heart — everything.  When we give thanks to God and offer worship to him, it is not a spectator sport.  Praise is a verb.

When you praise God, do it fully.  Don’t be distracted.  Put everything into it.  Give PRAISE!

Be God’s — every day.

LORD, I wait for you; you will answer, Lord my God.
Psalm 38:15

The first 14 verses of this Psalm are all about how bad it is. David writes about how wounded (generally) he is, and is petitioning God to spare him.

In the midst of this pain, however, David shows the patience and trust to wait on God.

When times get tough, do you slow down and wait on God? Or do you turn away and try to do it on your own?

Waiting for God is hard — it completely admits our inability to get it done alone, and relinquishes power. Neither of these is natural to us. But we need to trust in God to deliver us. Sometimes that means waiting for him to deliver.

Be God’s — every day.

The Mighty One, God, the Lord,
speaks and summons the earth
from the rising of the sun to where it sets.
Psalm 50:1

I didn’t have a devo idea today. Empty. Nothing.

Then walking to the train, I see this:

Sometimes you just have to enjoy the beauty of God’s work. Don’t manufacture something… Just enjoy what God gives.

Be God’s — every day.

The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise him.
Psalm 28:7

Music is a gift from God… And in return often a gift to God. The ancient believers were innovators in terms of music — harmony originated in the church, as did writing music down (rather than teaching orally). These innovations came because believers wanted to sing in praise to God.

Think about how integral music is to our lives today. Watch TV for 5 minutes and count the different tunes you hear. Walk through a city and listen to background music being played. We don’t drive in silence very often. Music is everywhere!

When you hear music today, think about it’s origins and role in giving thanks and praise to God.

Be God’s — every day.

When my spirit grows faint within me, it is you who watch over my way. In the path where I walk people have hidden a snare for me.
Psalm 142:3

If there is one, loud recurring theme in the Old Testament, it is this: God has your back.

We know how God protected Daniel in the lions den… How God delivered the Israelites from Egypt by parting the sea… How God helped his people claim great victory over enemies in war… We hear the songs of David singing how God is our comfort and our refuge…

But do we really believe it? Do we have faith that God is there for US? That we will be spared from our lions, or delivered from our Egypt?

Have faith that God is there. Over and over and over again he triumphs and protects. As one of God’s people, you get the same treatment.

Be God’s — every day.

Before the mountains were born or you brought forth the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God.
Psalm 90:2

Verses like this are a great reminder of how BIG God is. Look around… God made it. From the mountains to the trees to the oceans to the stars, God is creator of all.

However long everything around us has existing is just a portion of God’s reign. He has seen it all, for ages past and will for ages to come.

Our perspective is so finite — we are all very recent phenomena by comparison to God’s timelessness. As such, may we all remember to trust the Timeless One and rely on his infinite and endless wisdom.

Be God’s — every day.

You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.
Psalm 16:11

Christian living can often get a bad reputation for being a “dull” life. The “sex, drugs, and rock’n'roll” lifestyle is seen as preferred, and a holy life is seen as old fashioned and boring.

We forget, though, that God likes to see us happy. We are promised eternal joy and pleasure in heaven… Would a God like that want us to be miserable here on earth? Of course not!

God has created the pleasurable. He wants to see us rejoice now AND forever. As he reveals his path to us, he wants us to enjoy it.

Take pleasure in what God has to offer us all. Thank God for the joy he provides!

Be God’s — every day.

How precious to me are your thoughts, God! How vast is the sum of them!
Psalm 139:17

How important is God’s word? How critical and integrated is it with your life?

I find that there are certainly times when I take it on myself to figure things out. And I don’t mean basic worldly problems — like how to get from here to Milwaukee or change the tire on a car — because of course the Bible will be silent on that. I’m referring to more fundamental and big life questions. What kind of husband do I want to be? What is my vocation? How should I think about war? What about welfare for the poor?

While the Bible isn’t generally written in Q & A format, it does provide insights into these issues. We just have to choose to seek it. Which means we have to value it.

I still struggle with this. I take it on myself to figure it out. Google is often my first source, not God’s word.

How about you? How important are God’s thoughts to you?

Be God’s — every day.

Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: “May those who love you be secure. May there be peace within your walls and security within your citadels.”
Psalm 122:6-7

When we gather for worship, we often “go to church.” That worship time is then filled with singing, learning, fellowship, and prayer. Those prayers generally are about people, whether it is those around us or elsewhere in the world.

How often do we pray for the church itself? The community of people, and the institution?

There is great unrest around the church, whether it is in a local congregation, a regional governing body, or as a national or global denomination. Pray for peace among the community of believers.

Be God’s — every day.