03/13/2024
This morning our devotional message is one of great promise... God cares for us. He answers our prayers, shoulders our burdens, heals us, comforts us, provides for us, and is always true to His Word. We are living in a pessimistic time when men and women, even in the highest of offices, don’t seem to know the truth. Yet we are asked to put our trust in them saying things like “He/she is the lesser of two evils.” Isn’t it wonderful to be able to turn to God and Jesus Christ knowing that in them there is no compromise, and that their Word is always true?
“Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.”
1 Peter 5:6-7 KJV
God cares for us; how magnificent is that!! How incredible to have the creator of the universe take a personal interest in our safety and wellbeing. His hand upon us is much more than to give us comfort, it sustains us and lifts us up. As I read my own morning devotional today I reveled in the closing statement that E.M. Bounds made. It dawned on me that we shouldn’t simply believe that God exists, but in who He is and what He does.
"Disbelief that God is concerned about even the smallest affairs that affect our happiness and comfort limits the Holy One of Israel and makes our lives altogether devoid of real happiness."
So in His care we can place our trust, and expect His comfort and joy. God is more than capable and willing to shoulder each need in our lives, from our smallest concern to the most concerning challenge, He is more than able.
This is an election year and we here in the United States will elect a new President. We will also elect Senators and Representatives as well. There is a saying regarding those congressmen who are elected because of their relationship with the winning presidential candidate... "He rode the coattails of the president into office." As I was thinking about that statement, I realized that we too ride coattails; we ride the coattails of Jesus into grace, salvation. And eternity before the throne of God.
If we have paid even the slightest bit of attention to politics we understand that political candidates will promise things which they can't possibly deliver in order to please people and get elected. Even our own esteemed selections for office do this. But, isn't it wonderful to know that Jesus Christ who brings us before the Lord can deliver on every promise He makes, and that our God truly cares about each plank in our holy platform... Even the little splinters?
“God is not man, that he should lie, or a son of man, that he should change his mind. Has he said, and will he not do it? Or has he spoken, and will he not fulfill it?
Numbers 23:19 ESV
I know I am sounding trite today by relating Jesus Christ, the greatness of God, and our salvation, to an earthly political process, but I am trying to make a point here. No matter how grand the earthly institution seems to be, or honest it leaders appear, it can't hold a candle to God and His perfect promises. Our Heavenly Father cares for us beyond anything that this earth can offer. He is our Holy Father and is concerned with every need we have... even our whims. We might be fooled by the world into believing a politician’s promises, but God’s promises are always true, and delivered upon without fail. So don’t be fooled or tricked into accepting those things that the world offers us, and be led to believe in them, convincing yourself that they are good enough… no, accept only the perfection of God, and spit the lukewarm promises of the world from your mouth.
““‘I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth.””
Revelation 3:15-16 ESV
God cares for us... Every part of us, and His promises are true always, and forever!
Prayer:
Father, thank you for caring for us, and for your Word that is always dependable, and true. Thank you Lord for never being lukewarm, but forever good, righteous, and Holy in all you say and do. Help us Father to turn our faces away from the compromises that the world asks us to make regarding our faith, and give us the strength of character we need to be able to walk away from the temptation of earthly promises that require us to choose between your perfect goodness, and being just good enough. Lead us to always select your absolute perfection Abba. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you our God who seats kings on their thrones, and presidents in their capitols. Wonderful are you who points to these elevated men and women to show us the difference between what mankind has to offer, and what Jesus and yourself are to us. This is the day that you have made Father, and in you we will rejoice and be glad. We will not conform to the world, nor become discouraged, anxious, nor depressed, by what it is, but instead we will turn our eyes towards you, and love you with all our heart, mind, soul, and strength. Come now Lord Jesus, and lift us from the worldly squalor that we find ourselves mired in, and through your blood and sacrifice make us pure and pleasing before the throne if God. Let us care as our Father cares, love as He loves, and our word be as perfect and good as His. Let us be righteous, and in this way make us acceptable to Him, and worthy to be in His eternal presence forevermore. Praise be the Holy Name of Yahweh our God, and great be His glory forever, and ever.
Amen
“He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it.”
1 Thessalonians 5:24
Rich Forbes