Thoughts from daily Bible reading for today – September 27, 2018
Behold, God is my helper; the Lord is the upholder of my life. Psalm 54:4 (ESV)
I am increasingly convinced that we spend an incredible amount of time seeking our own self-preservation. Simply put, so much attention and energy is given to the pursuit of security, safety, and health. We go on countless diets and exercise routines as we try to prolong beauty and delay the inevitable biological clock. We obsess over the health of our investment portfolio, hoping to guarantee financial independence and freedom. And we insulate ourselves from anyone, anything, or anyplace that makes us vulnerable or exposed. Yet time and time again, Scripture reminds us that we are always safe in the Kingdom of God.
The realization that we are ultimately powerless and unable to control every outcome and variable in life could leave us paralyzed in fear and crippling anxiety. And if God were not who he says that he is, this would actually be a fair and expected response! Yet if we truly believe and trust in the goodness, love, and strength of the Lord, we can rest easy knowing that we are upheld and preserved by him. We know that in any trial or temptation, whether it be physical sickness, financial strain, or relational turmoil, we are held close by our creator and sustainer.
“The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged (Deuteronomy 31:8).
When we are set free from fear, we are liberated to join God in his redemptive mission. We learn to be less self-absorbed, no longer caring only about our own wants, needs, and desires. Instead, when we are confident that the Lord sustains and upholds us, we can be bold and brave! He gives us the courage to join him in vulnerable and broken places. Places that, if only concerned with our own self-care, we would never risk going. Yet when we sit out on the mission of God in the name of “safety”, we miss so many opportunities to see God’s grace at work.
We desperately need the Holy Spirit of God to renew and sustain the world, the church, and each and every one of us. Yet if we forever rest in our own strength and safety, we will live as though we never actually need him to show up! Could it be that our obsession with safety means that we miss God in the process? Are we so secure that God simply becomes a worst-case scenario back up plan, rather than our very source of life and peace? May it never be so!
Prayer
Father, teach us to truly trust you and put our faith in you above anything else that makes empty promises of safety and security. Amen.
Application
Where does your trust most consistently lie?
Related Reading
Job 5:11; John 14:27; 2 Corinthians 1:3
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When we are set free from fear, we are liberated to join God in his redemptive mission. #WisdomHunters #Godismyhelper
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Thank you for providing the encouragement you do on a daily basis. This world cries out for Him in so many ways every day and people miss connections and opportunities every day. Please know that Wisdom Hunters helps me start my day by praying for those who need Him and focusing His light outwardly to those who don’t know Him.
I have received your devotionals daily for a few years and then they have stopped in the last week or so, I have reentered my email several times and they do not show up in my inbox. Has something changed ?
Dear Greg,
Thank you so much for your kind and encouraging words. We are grateful that you have been blessed by the Wisdom Hunter’s devotionals. Greg, thank you most of all for your prayers for those who need our God and have yet to realize that need. What a mighty warrior you are for His Kingdom!
I am sorry you have stopped receiving the daily devotionals. I will go ahead and resubscribe you this morning.To catch up on any past devotionals, you can go to our website http://www.wisdomhunters.com and click on “devotionals” and read any of our devotionals. Greg, would you do me a favor? Just to make sure you will start receiving them again, would you check you spam and/or trash folder and make sure the devotionals are not going into those? Also, please enter info@wisdomhunters.com in your contacts for your emails. Thank you! We want to make sure you will be receiving them again. (If you do not start getting them again, please let me know: gwynne@wisdomhunters.com)
We are so thankful for you, Greg. Keep shining His Light so others may come to know Him,
Gwynne
“Glory in his holy name; let hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice. Look to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always.”
1 Chronicles 16:10