Tag: faith in God devotion

Midweek Message – Hidden Surprises

church devotions, Devotions, Lectionary devotions, Psalm devotions, Sunday devotions

Psalm 42: 10b “…my foes taunt me, saying to me all day long,” Where is your God?”

They say that life is full of hidden surprises and one morning that turned out to be true at a church I served. A contractor, who was clearing a ditch behind the church offices, dug through a hidden gas main, causing an unexpected emergency. Within minutes, fire engines and utility trucks swarmed into our parking lot. Local businesses were all shut down and for about an hour everything was intense. An explosion could have occurred at any time, but thankfully the professionals managed to cap the pipe and quickly repair it.

This all happened because the pipe was not where it was supposed to be. A painted yellow line was meant to indicate where the pipe was, but it turns out that the gas pipe was twelve feet away from the actual line. Someone somewhere had made a serious miscalculation, which could have resulted in a fatal explosion. If the pipe had been properly marked and located, this error would not have occurred. We learned that day that knowing exactly where the gas pipe rested was crucial to any ditch digging around the building.

The writer of today’s highlighted verse from Psalm 42 was deeply troubled and tormented. His painful experience caused those around him to ask whether or not God actually existed. The inevitable question of ‘where is God when it hurts?’ must have crossed the psalmist’s mind, so he dug deep into his soul to find an answer. And that’s where he found God, right at the heart of his suffering, right in the midst of all his pain.

We each go through ‘dark nights of the soul’ and crises of faith. In the midst of heartbreak, illness, and sorrow, it’s very easy for us to lose our hold of God, But, as one of my Hebrew professors used to say, “It’s not our grasp of God that is important, but that God still has a grasp of us.” In other words, knowing where God is located is not as crucial as God knowing where we actually are.

Point to ponder: Have I ever felt isolated from God? How did God find me?

Prayer:           Lord God, life is full of hidden surprises, and we seek Your presence every day. It helps us to know that You are with us, no matter what we experience or endure. Reveal to us Your whereabouts this day and remind us that Your mindfulness of us is far more important than our understanding of You. In Christ’s Name, we pray. Amen.

John Stuart is a Scottish Presbyterian pastor now living in Knoxville, Tennessee.

Midweek Message: A Hiding Place

church devotions, Devotions

Psalm 32:7 You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance. (NIV)

There is a lot of uncertainty in today’s world which is currently causing many people to retreat inside of themselves, by becoming emotionally distant from those things beyond their control. As Thomas Paine once remarked, “these are times that try men’s souls,” which means that current crucial issues are adding to our anxiety and stress. In order to endure this critical time, some folks are sheltering and hiding themselves from watching the news, reading political articles, or getting involved with others on social media. It’s a survival mechanism which helps them cope and focus purely on their daily lives.

The writer of the 32nd psalm also experienced a similar time of turbulence and turmoil. The author wanted to retreat from the world, but instead of isolating himself, he chose to let God be his hiding place. He knew that he personally couldn’t change what was happening all around him, but he understood that God was still in control. So, the psalmist chose to hide himself in the presence of God to seek safety and sanctuary, solace and support.

Over the centuries, faith has always been more resilient than fear. We can read and take encouragement from what the psalmist wrote thousands of years ago because the word and promises of God have remained with us and sustained each subsequent generation as the years passed. Finding a refuge, a hiding place, a haven of strength and renewal is essential for all of us to endure and overcome our present troubles. We may be shaken by current events, but God remains solid and dependable, present and reliable, so let choose to keep persevering by sustaining our faith, hope, and love in God. Or as the apostle Paul would write centuries after the psalmist:

Romans 8:38-39 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (NIV)

Point to ponder: How can my faith in God overcome my fear of the world?

Prayer: Lord God, You are almighty and sovereign of all things. During these critical times, allow us to shelter in Your loving arms and be strengthened by Your constant presence. In Christ’s Name, we pray. Amen.

John Stuart is a Scottish Presbyterian pastor now living in Knoxville, Tennessee.

Sabbath Psalms – Sowing Sorrowfully, Singing Joyfully

church devotions, Devotions, Lectionary devotions, Psalm devotions, Sunday devotions

Psalm 126sPsalm 126:5 Those who sow in tears will reap with songs of joy.

It was an old superstition. People once believed that if they planted their seeds positively, then something bad would happen to the expected crop. So, instead of looking forward to the harvest, they used to weep profusely as they sowed the seeds. They didn’t want to make the agricultural gods angry by taking them for granted, so they developed a rite of mourning at seedtime.

Obviously, the Hebrew children did this too, although instead of angering the local Canaanite gods, they didn’t want to offend the One True and Living God. The people of the land had been blessed in the past, therefore, they hoped that God’s promises would be fulfilled at harvest time, so long as the people remained faithful.

The farmers also knew that they lived less than perfect lives, so they planted their seeds with penitential tears. They sincerely believed that if God watched over them as they humbled themselves, then perhaps God would also take pity on them and bless them with a great growing season. The farmers didn’t take God’s compassion for granted, but when the harvest was bountiful, they were truly thankful – which is why we still celebrate Thanksgiving feasts as special days in our nation and around the world.

Perhaps you are starting something new, beginning a new job or business, or going to a new college or location. Maybe you’re apprehensive about the future and hope that things will turn out well. Take time to bring God into this venture and humbly commit Your ideas, goals, and work to the Lord. You may not have to weep sorrowfully these days, but if You honor God at the outset of what you’re seeking to do, God’s approval will eventually come.

Point to ponder: Am I attempting something new in my life? If so, how have I sought God’s blessing?

Prayer: Lord God, You know everything about us and are fully aware of all our plans. We humbly seek Your approval and guidance in all that we hope to begin and accomplish. In Your Holy Name, we dare to hope and humbly pray. Amen.

John Stuart is a Scottish Presbyterian pastor now living in Knoxville, Tennessee.