Tag: trusting God

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Psalms Devotionals 2

When you seem far

God's throne

Lord, why do you stand so far away?
Why do you hide in times of trouble? (Psalm 10:1)

Father, sometimes it seems you stand far away. Sometimes it feels like you’re hiding yourself. Especially when I’m struggling.

But the truth is, you are my good King, and you reign forever and ever. (16)

The truth is, you don’t ignore me when I cry. You bend down and you listen carefully to me. (17)

And the day will come when you will make all things right. (18)

So even though you may feel far at times, help me to not trust my feelings, but you, my good King.

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Ruth Devotionals

Finding rest

Rest

My daughter, shouldn’t I find rest for you… (Ruth 3:1)

I was just thinking on the idea of “rest” in this chapter.

Ruth found rest by trusting Naomi, and even more so by trusting Boaz.

Had Boaz not been the honorable man he was, Ruth could have found herself in real danger. But she trusted that her redeemer was good, and she found rest as a result.

That was in stark contrast to the Israelite people of that time. By not trusting their Redeemer, they repeatedly lost their “rest” (Judges 1:18-19, 2:11-12, 3:30-4:2, 5:31-6:2).

I’m thinking about people right now who have lost their rest because they lost their trust that their Redeemer is good.

I don’t want to be like that.

I choose to be like Ruth, trusting my Redeemer is good and his promise true.

Come to me, all of you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. (Matthew 11:28)

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Judges Devotionals Psalms Devotionals 2

Living with integrity

Prayer

Every morning, I read the psalms along with my daily Bible readings.

By chance, Psalm 26 was my psalm for the day. And I couldn’t help but notice the difference between King David’s attitude and Samson’s in Judges 14.

Imagine how different Samson’s life would have been had he prayed and lived David’s words.

Vindicate me, LORD,
because I have lived with integrity
and have trusted in the LORD without wavering.

Test me, LORD, and try me;
examine my heart and mind.

For your faithful love guides me,
and I live by your truth.

I do not sit with the worthless
or associate with hypocrites.
I hate a crowd of evildoers,
and I do not sit with the wicked.

I wash my hands in innocence
and go around your altar, LORD,
raising my voice in thanksgiving
and telling about your wondrous works. (Psalm 26:1-7)

I want to pray and live David’s words.

How about you?

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Deuteronomy Devotionals

How we see God

信仰の道

The Lord brought us out of the land of Egypt to hand us over to the Amorites in order to destroy us, because he hates us. (Deuteronomy 1:27)

The Israelites’ attitude really struck me today.

How we see God has a huge impact on how we relate to him.

The Israelites were convinced that God hated them.

Somehow they had forgotten that God had fought for them. That he had carried them through the wilderness. That he had led and protected them day and night. (Deuteronomy 1:30-33)

As a result, they refused to enter the good land God was giving them. Instead, they wanted to go back to slavery in Egypt. (Numbers 14:3-4)

It’s easy to say “God is good” and “God loves me.”

But do we really believe it? What do our actions show? Do we believe these truths enough to trust and obey him in everything?

The question I’m asking, that we must all ask is, “God, what do I really think about you?”

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Malachi Devotionals

Leading our hearts to trust God

In my church, recently, we’ve been talking a lot about not simply following our hearts and going wherever it takes us, because there are times our hearts will take us in the wrong direction. Rather, we are to lead our hearts to follow God.

That’s important because in a broken world, it’s easy to get cynical.

That’s how the Jews were. They had returned from Babylon, the temple and city walls were rebuilt, and yet they still faced many problems as a nation.

As a result, they questioned God’s love (1:2), they questioned whether he was really a God of justice (2:17), and they questioned whether it was truly worth serving him (3:14).

And all this showed in how they treated God, dishonoring him (1:6-8) and robbing him (3:8-9). It also showed in how they treated their wives (2:14-16) and each other (3:5).

But not all were like this. There were the few who despite their circumstances, despite what others were doing, continued to lead their hearts to trust the Lord.

They chose to believe God loved them. They chose to believe he will eventually bring justice to this world. And they continued to faithfully serve him.

The result?

The Lord took notice and listened. So a book of remembrance was written before him for those who feared the Lord and had high regard for his name.

“They will be mine,” says the Lord of Armies, “my own possession on the day I am preparing.” (Malachi 3:16-17)

Are you getting cynical towards God when you see all the problems in this world and in your own life?

Will you choose to lead your heart and trust him?

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1 Samuel Devotionals

When the heat is on

1 Samuel

Saul answered, “When I saw that the troops were deserting me and you didn’t come within the appointed days and the Philistines were gathering at Michmash… I forced myself to offer the burnt offering.”

Samuel said to Saul, “You have been foolish. You have not kept the command the Lord your God gave you.” (1 Samuel 13:11-13)

It’s easy to obey God when things are going well. But how about when things are not?

Trials tend to show what’s really in our hearts.

Do we really trust God? Do we really believe his way is best? Do we believe it so much that our first instinct when things get hard is to obey him?

Or do we foolishly go our own way?

Saul’s trials showed what was in his heart.

What do our trials show about what’s in ours?

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Hebrews Devotionals

Trusting the Lord and heeding his voice.

Hebrews

The danger of reading the Bible one chapter at a time is that you can lose the overall message of what is being said.

And the overall message of Hebrews  is to put your trust in the Lord, paying heed his voice.

As I mentioned in an earlier article, there were Jews that were tempted to turn their backs on Christ, and to go back to Judaism because of the persecution they were facing.

So from the very beginning of this letter, the author urges the people to heed the Lord’s voice. And when we say “Heed the Lord’s voice,” we’re talking about God in Trinity, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

The writer of Hebrews spends the whole first chapter talking about how though God spoke through the prophets in the Old Testament, Jesus is the final word, testified to by God the Father and the Holy Spirit.

For that reason, we are to heed Jesus and not drift away from him (2:2-4).

And he gives us warning from the Holy Spirit in chapter 3 and 4,

Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts. (Hebrews 3:7-8, 15, 4:7).

Why? Because apart from Jesus, we will never find true rest. Rather we will be condemned for all eternity. (3:12, 16-19).

The author of Hebrews then warns us against having dull or lazy ears, and thus being immature. (5:11-6:3, 9-12)

All this leads to the climax in chapters 10-12.

He says in chapter 10 that people who disregarded the word of God given to Moses were put to death.

How much more should one who disregards Jesus? These people trample not only on what Jesus said concerning salvation, but all he did to accomplish it.

And so the writer warns, “It is a terrifying thing to fall into the hands of the living God.”

But then he encourages us, “Hang in there. Don’t turn back. For if you endure, if you will continue to trust God and heed his voice, you will be saved.”

Chapter 11 then goes into a whole list of people who did just that, some of whom who did so under great pressure, even to the point of death. And as we saw yesterday, God testified of them all, “These are the ones who please me.”

And so the writer concludes in chapter 12, “You see all these people who came before you. They trusted God. They heeded Jesus, the final word, the source and perfecter of our faith.

“Do the same. Consider Jesus and all he did for you on the cross.

“And when the Lord disciplines you by letting you go through trials, don’t get bitter or angry. Trust him. Believe that he truly wants your best.”

He then says to this tired, persecuted people.

Therefore, strengthen your tired hands and weakened knees, and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be dislocated, but healed instead. (Hebrews 12:13).

Finally, after more instruction and exhortation, he concludes with this word.

Now may the God of peace, who brought up from the dead our Lord Jesus — the great Shepherd of the sheep — through the blood of the everlasting covenant, equip you with everything good to do his will, working in us what is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen. (Hebrews 13:20-21)

So, beloved people of God, whatever you may be going through, whatever trials or heartache, trust the Lord. Heed his voice. And you will find rest.

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Proverbs

Though we live in the midst of evil

It used to be that you could call the United States a Christian country.  But though there are many people that still claim to believe in God and even claim to be Christians, I doubt you could say that anymore.  We really haven’t been able to say that for some time.  

It does seem, however, that things are even worse than ever.

Solomon lived in a time when things were much better.  But he could look at other countries, and see the evil that was there.

He talks about anarchist societies (28:2), and societies ruled by tyrannical rulers who do evil, and care nothing for justice, nor for their people (28:3, 12, 15-16, 28; 29:2, 4,12).

The States and Japan are not quite as bad as other countries in that sense, but we do see people in government who are more interested in their positions than in serving the people.

And we see lawmakers taking our society off moral cliffs that we’ve never been over before.   (Though more so in the United States.  Japan is still fairly conservative in a lot of ways).

But Solomon also talks about the evil within society itself.  Of those who have rejected God’s laws and praising those who do the same (Proverbs 28:5).  

Of those who because they have rejected God’s law, are now are a law unto themselves, and as a result have become morally corrupt (5).  

And of those who will rise up against those who are righteous (Proverbs 29:10).

How do we live in that kind of society?  Solomon tells us:

Stay the course.  Keep following after God.

Solomon writes,

Blessed is the man who fears the Lord, but he who hardens his heart falls into trouble.  (Proverbs 28:14)

It’s easy to become callous when surrounded by the evil that we see.  To have our love grow cold, as Jesus once put it (Matthew 24:12).  Love for God, and love for others.

But don’t let that happen.  Keep on fearing the Lord, with a heart that’s softened toward him.

For as Solomon also writes,

If anyone turns a deaf ear to the law, even his prayers are detestable.  (Proverbs 28:9)

And again,

He whose walk is blameless is kept safe, but he whose ways are perverse will suddenly fall.  (28:18)

So continue to resist what is evil (28:4), continue to work hard (28:19), continue to be faithful in all you do (28:20), and continue to be generous to those around you (28:27).

When you fall, be quick to repent (28:13).  

And teach your children to do the same (29:15, 29:17).

Though everyone else casts off restraint, hold on to the ways of God (29:18).  

And most  of all, continue to trust God.

Solomon writes,

He who trusts in himself is a fool, but he who walks in wisdom is kept safe.  (Proverbs 28:26).

And again,

Fear of man will prove to be snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is kept safe.  (Proverbs 29:25)

As God once commanded Jeremiah, so he commands us.

“Let this people turn to you, but you must not turn to them.

I will make you a wall to this people, a fortified wall of bronze; they will fight against you but will not overcome you, for I am with you to rescue and save you,” declares the Lord. (Jeremiah 15:19-20)

How about you?  Are you becoming like those around you?

Or are you being a light in the midst of all the evil in which we live?

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Proverbs

Who (or what) we put our trust in

Who or what do you put your trust in?

Yourself?  Your money?  Or God?

That’s what Solomon addresses time and again in Proverbs.  He writes,

The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe. 

The wealth of the rich is their fortified city; they imagine it an unscalable wall. 

Before his downfall a man’s heart is proud, but humility comes before honor.  (Proverbs 18:10-12)

So many people put their trust in themselves.  In their own wisdom, or in this case, what they have.  They feel that if they have enough money, they can handle whatever may come their way.

But Solomon writes that it is when you put your trust in God that you are truly safe. 

Many who have put their trust in money still haven’t found happiness or security.  Their marriages fall apart.  They lose sleep worrying about their job or the stocks they’ve invested in. 

And though they may have all they need, they still find it hard to be at peace.

And though others may feel secure, proud of all they have or all they’ve accomplished, often times they see the kingdoms they built crumble around them. 

More importantly, they will find that the day will come when they have to stand before God and give an account before him for all they’ve done. 

And if they’ve been only living for themselves, they’ll find that all they built will mean nothing on the day of judgment.

On the other hand, those who have put their trust in God find rest in him, knowing that as they walk in his will, he will take care of them. 

And on the day of judgment, they will be able to stand with Jesus at their side.

So we need to be careful who or what we put our trust in.

Solomon writes,

It is not good to have zeal without knowledge, nor to be hasty and miss the way.  (Proverbs 19:2)

We can have all the enthusiasm for life in the world, but if we are not following God and his leading, we’ll miss the path that he has for us. 

So often, in our zeal, we make foolish mistakes that we later regret.  Yet as Solomon says,

A man’s own folly ruins his life, yet his heart rages against the LORD.  (19:3)

So many times, we trust in our own wisdom and so ruin our lives, and then we ask, “God, why did you let this happen to me?”

But we fail to realize that we are simply reaping what we sowed.  Had we trusted in God, we wouldn’t have fallen into the pit we are in.

As Solomon said,

He who obeys instructions guards his life, but he who is contemptuous of his ways will die.  (19:16)

God’s words are the words of life.  If we choose to ignore them, that’s on our own head.

So Solomon admonishes us,

Listen to advice and accept instruction, and in the end you will be wise.  (19:20)

And always remember,

Many are the plans in a man’s heart, but it is the LORD’s purpose that prevails.  (19:21)

In other words, you can make all the plans that you want, but things will turn out in the end the way that God wants. 

So don’t fight God’s will.  Align yourself with it.  And if you do, you’ll find,

The fear of the LORD leads to life:  Then one rests content, untouched by trouble.  (19:23)

Who or what are you putting your trust in?

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Isaiah

A faulty foundation; a sure foundation

Isaiah

One theme that seems to constantly come up in the prophets is the idea of trust.  Who are we trusting?  What do we set as the foundation of our lives?

For Israel, they seemed to put their faith not in God, but in their own wisdom and efforts in order to protect themselves. 

As I mentioned in my last blog, they rejected God’s truth and God’s prophets, and treated Isaiah’s words as childish babble.

And so Isaiah rebukes them for this, comparing their treaties with Egypt to protect them from Assyria to a covenant with death.  He said,

You boast, “We have entered into a covenant with death, with the grave we have made an agreement. 

When an overwhelming scourge sweeps by, it cannot touch us, for we have made a lie our refuge and falsehood our hiding place.”  (Isaiah 28:15)

The sarcasm is fairly dripping out of Isaiah’s mouth. 

He was saying, “You’ve made these treaties your protection.  But these treaties are merely a covenant of death.  It will be your undoing as well as the undoing of the ones you are relying on.  And when you say to yourselves that these treaties will protect you, you are merely lying to yourself.”

Then he warns,

Hail will sweep away your refuge, the lie, and water will overflow your hiding place.  our covenant with death will be annulled; your agreement with the grave will not stand. 

When the overwhelming scourge sweeps by, you will be beaten down by it.  As often as it comes it will carry you away; morning after morning, by day and by night, it will sweep through. (Isaiah 28:17-19)

But in the midst of these warnings, Isaiah says,

So this is what the Sovereign Lord says:   “See, I lay a stone in Zion, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone for a sure foundation; the one who trusts will never be dismayed.  (Isaiah 28:16)

The New Testament writers quote this in reference to Christ, that he is the one who is the sure foundation for our lives.  And if we put our faith in Christ, we will stand firm. We’ll never be dismayed for putting our trust in him.

But if we build our lives on the lies we tell ourselves and upon our own wisdom and efforts, all the while scoffing at God’s word, we will be swept away when judgment comes. 

And so Isaiah says,

Now stop your mocking, or your chains will become heavier; the Lord, the Lord Almighty, has told me of the destruction decreed against the whole land.  (Isaiah 28:22)

How about you?  What have you set as the foundation of your life?  Your own wisdom?  Your own efforts?  Or Jesus Christ? 

All other foundations are faulty, and ultimately will be your ruin.  But in Christ, we have a sure foundation, and if you put your faith in him, you will not be disappointed.

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Isaiah

For those who trust in Him

Isaiah

I love the words God spoke to the Israelites.  After talking about how he would bring down the Assyrians, he told the people of Israel,

In that day, the remnant of Israel, the survivors of the house of Jacob, will no longer rely on him who struck them down (Assyria), but will truly rely on the Lord, the Holy One of Israel…

Do not be afraid of the Assyrians, who beat you with the rod and lift up a club against you as Egypt did.  Very soon, my anger against you will end, and my wrath will be directed to their destruction….

In that day, their burden will be lifted from your shoulders, their yoke from your neck; the yoke will be broken.  (Isaiah 10:20,24-25, 27)

As I read this, I can’t help but think about us and our lives.

We relied on him who struck us down.  Satan promised us happiness and contentment, but in the end, he robbed us of everything.  He left us beaten down and enslaved to our sin and lusts.

But to those of us who no longer put their trust in the lies of Satan, but instead rely and trust in the Lord, the burden of sin, guilt, and shame will be lifted from us and broken, and we will be set free.

And just as the day came when God judged the Assyrians, Satan’s day is coming too.

Satan knows it too.  He shakes his fist at us threatening us (32), but the Lord will lop off his boughs with great power, and he will be felled and brought low (33-34).

So let us turn from the lies of Satan and trust him no longer.

He may entice us with his promises, but they are empty.  He may threaten us with destruction, but when we put our trust in God, he has no power over us.

Let us instead, put our trust in the one who loves us, and who longs to restore us and give us new life.