I went to bed last night and then woke up this morning, like so many of you, pretty heavy-hearted about the state of our nation, state, region and world. Much like many of you, I certainly have reflected on the state of affairs and my reaction to them. These words reflect some of my sentiments:
Frustration. Embarrassment. Shame. Anger.
No surprise to most of you, I am a pretty conservative person, personally and politically. But having friends around the world who look to America as the shining example of civility, I have spent the entire last couple years feeling more and more ashamed of all sides.
But this morning when I woke up, instead of opening the news, I went through my normal routine of reading and meditating on God’s Word, then spending time in prayer on this January 7, 2021. I read from these four locations of scripture in my systematic reading. They spoke to me. I am now passing on to you NOT my own words, but God’s Word, or what I found.
First from the Old Testament:
Judges 2:10 After that generation died, another generation grew up who did not acknowledge the Lord or remember the mighty things he had done for Israel.
Then from the New Testament:
Ephesians 4:13-15 This will continue until we all come to such unity in our faith and knowledge of God’s Son that we will be mature in the Lord, measuring up to the full and complete standard of Christ. Then we will no longer be immature like children. We won’t be tossed and blown about by every wind of new teaching. We will not be influenced when people try to trick us with lies so clever they sound like the truth. Instead, we will speak the truth in love growing in every way more and more like Christ who is the head of his body, the church.
Then I turned to my normal Gospel location for reading:
Mark 1:35 Before daybreak the next morning, Jesus got up and went out to an isolated place to pray.
Then I turned to my normal Psalm location for reading:
Psalm 119:74 May all who fear you find in me a cause for joy, for I have put my hope in your word.
To Sum Up
A simple summary of my meditative thoughts from these passages:
- From Judges 2:10 — Every generation is responsible for remembering and acknowledging God’s hand. My life should be centered around constantly remembering him instead of getting distracted. God, may I never get distracted by the world and forget you.
- From Ephesians 2:13-15 — We are not to be “reactionary” in life, constantly listening to and following the latest and greatest voice or headline in this world. We are to grow in God’s Word, which must be the dominant voice that directs my life, otherwise I will be tossed around with everything new that comes along. God, let me be dominated by your Word.
- From Mark 1:35 — Jesus, when confronted with a demonic world, sought out an isolated place to pray and let the Father speak to him. Do I? God, if Jesus needed to find a quiet time to listen and talk to you, may this be the pattern of my life.
- From Psalm 119:74 — My only anchor is always turning first and last to God’s Word. God, help me turn to your Word every day, and may it be the anchor for my soul.
Not a bad morning devotional time. I pray that you and I during all seasons—in crazy times or calm—will always let God speak to us through his Word.
Listen to God.
