Devotional for 10/25/15 (rewritten from 2014)
This weekend our church celebrates the Reformation, commemorating when Martin Luther, a Catholic monk, challenged the status quo in the church. He questioned some long term teachings that
were entrenched in the life of the church at that time. It was something with which he had
struggled for years. He was not the first to question those things, but he was the first to survive
questioning them... others before him had been put to death. It took a lot of prayer and fortitude
to stand on the firm foundation of faith in the Word of God over the familiar traditions.
There are times when we also need to make changes that are difficult. Even if we don't believe we are at risk of losing our lives, we resist change or cringe at the thought of rocking the boat. We get comfortable with the old patterns, whether they are healthy or not. Though we may see danger in remaining in the same rut and begin to think about moving in a different direction, we slip back into that old familiar deadly groove. Sometimes the banks of that road are so steep and high that we cannot see what is better beyond them. Sounds are blocked out by the earthen walls of that trench, so we can't hear the promise of something greater. Nor can we smell the flowering trees that will go begging to be harvested later. If only we could climb out of the furrow we've dug for ourselves in the old ways that falsely provide comfort and safety. Eventually we might even become buried alive there as the walls cave in.
The good news is that God is always just over the ridge, ready to pull us out of that rut if we let him. Even if the oceans rise, flooding the road and eroding the earth from under our feet, God will provide a way out for us. Though we may repeatedly try to stand back up on our own only to fall again, we can turn to God for forgiveness and for the power to move forward in his direction. We can stand firm on his foundation. He is our refuge and strength at all times!
Psalm 46:1-3 (NIV) "God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging."
There are times when we also need to make changes that are difficult. Even if we don't believe we are at risk of losing our lives, we resist change or cringe at the thought of rocking the boat. We get comfortable with the old patterns, whether they are healthy or not. Though we may see danger in remaining in the same rut and begin to think about moving in a different direction, we slip back into that old familiar deadly groove. Sometimes the banks of that road are so steep and high that we cannot see what is better beyond them. Sounds are blocked out by the earthen walls of that trench, so we can't hear the promise of something greater. Nor can we smell the flowering trees that will go begging to be harvested later. If only we could climb out of the furrow we've dug for ourselves in the old ways that falsely provide comfort and safety. Eventually we might even become buried alive there as the walls cave in.
The good news is that God is always just over the ridge, ready to pull us out of that rut if we let him. Even if the oceans rise, flooding the road and eroding the earth from under our feet, God will provide a way out for us. Though we may repeatedly try to stand back up on our own only to fall again, we can turn to God for forgiveness and for the power to move forward in his direction. We can stand firm on his foundation. He is our refuge and strength at all times!
Psalm 46:1-3 (NIV) "God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging."
Dear Father in heaven, you are our refuge and strength in every moment of every day, even when it feels as if our entire world is crashing down upon us. You will triumph over every evil. Help us to remain faithful in all circumstances. Forgive us when we slip up, and set us back on track when needed. Thank you for that free gift of salvation given us through faith in your son, Jesus Christ, in whose name we pray. Amen
written by Jan Andersen
Even when it feels as if our entire world is crashing down upon us, God will triumph over every evil. He helps us to remain faithful in all circumstances.
ReplyDeleteGod bless...