Press the arrow to listen to Hillsong London sing “Follow the Son” while you read today’s devotion about faithfulness.

Scripture
I will not drive them out before you in a single year, that the land may not become desolate and the beasts of the field become too numerous for you. “I will drive them out before you little by little, until you become fruitful and take possession of the land. Exodus 23:29-30

Observation
I spoke with a pastor yesterday just fresh into a new ministry. In his former church he had been a respected voice. When he spoke, people listened. But now in a new church he experienced indifference. He was surprised because he thought that the credibility of his last ministry would transfer to his new position. He told me that it is a struggle for him to start all over again. Like John Maxwell says, when we leave one role and move into another we always start again at the bottom.

It is uncomfortable to be an old hack in a new place. The problem is not really a desire to be heard, but something more important. It’s the desire to be useful. The early days in a new place are unproductive. Just think about your first day on a new job versus a later day in the same job. The longer the serve the more we are able to do.

We need to become comfortable with the process. God does not open all at once, but little by little. Ultimately fruitfulness will come and all the territory that God has allocated for us will be available to us. But in the meantime there are little things.

Application
I need to not only make the most of the steady process but also make the most of little things. There is a temptation to brush little things aside. Instead they need to be fully embraced.

Prayer
Father, thank you for promises of things to come, but what I have to live is today. I will make the most of every little thing you give me today. Amen.

Press the arrow to listen to Hillsong Church sing “I Will Run to You” as you read today’s devotion about God’s deliverance.

Scripture
The Lord himself will fight for you. Just stay calm. Exodus 14:14

Observation
“Quick, do nothing!” That was God’s command to his people as they bit their fingernails down to the quick. The dust clouds of enemy chariots were on the horizon. The sea glistened in front of them. It was one day that they wished that they were not at the beach.

“Don’t just do something, stand there!” That was God’s instruction to his people. Their hearts were beating, their palms were sweaty and their mouths were dry. If they would stay steady longer than seemed reasonable, they would be surprised.

Application
The other day Pastor Brady Boyd at New Life Church asked us to reflect on the most harrowing days of our lives. He then asked us a follow up question: what has happened since then to resolve that problem? We were all able to think of many examples of God’s deliverance. We need eyes to see through our problems to the hope of the other side. Instead of looking at Pharaoh and his armies behind us we should imagine the victory dance on the far shore. The source of this hope is meditation on God’s persistent faithfulness over all of our life journey. He has delivered us and he will yet deliver us.

Prayer
Father, help me to live looking backward at your goodness so that I can walk forward into your abundance. Amen.

Press the arrow to listen to “Pull Me Out” by Bebo Norman as you read today’s devotion.

Scripture
So Moses said, “I must turn aside now and see this marvelous sight, why the bush is not burned up.” When the LORD saw that he turned aside to look, God called to him from the midst of the bush… Exodus 3:3-4

Observation
God is moved by curiosity. He speaks to those who shuffle out of their rut to explore something new. But too often we keep to predictable paths with our eyes trained on our feet. There is something about Moses’ example that stirs us to look around for unusual sites and to examine them. A God who is incessantly creative calls for followers who are insatiably curious. May I be one of those.

Prayer
Father, when the bush burns, let me not run for a fire-extiguisher, but let me take off my shoes to warm my toes before the miracle appearances of God. Amen.

Press the arrow to listen to Mercy Me sing “You Reign” as you read today’s devotion.

Scripture
‘The Lord said to my Lord,
Sit in the place of honor at my right hand
until I humble your enemies,
making them a footstool under your feet.’ Luke 20:42-43

For he raised us from the dead along with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ Jesus. Ephesians 2:6

Observation
Two million people are expected to attend today’s inauguration today. The other 300 million will look from a far distance. But at the actual moment only three people will matter.  The new President, the new first lady and the Chief Justice. No one else will be closer to the centre of things. From today forward, many will swim up stream to fight for a few moments time in the Oval Office. Most of us will never get there.

But I am guaranteed a seat of honour next to Jesus. There is something so inclusive about Christ’s love that there is a chair next to him available for everyone who believes.

The throne we sit beside is not one fought for on a campaign trail. There is no contention connected to it. Instead, it is a chair of peace. Jesus simply sat on it and waited for his Father to take care of things.

There is a peace sitting close to Jesus. Just as his position was granted without striving, so too our security will come not because of haranguing but by trust.

Application
I wouldn’t have a clue of how to get five minutes with President Obama, but I can spend this entire day with Christ. Sitting beside him stills all of my desires. He didn’t strain to exalt himself there, so neither should I. Jesus got all that he has by letting go. I surrender to him.

Prayer
Father, today bless the President coming into authority. Grant him wisdom to lead well. Be the unseen presence who stands beside him in every hour. And let me live with an awareness of where I am and whose I am. Amen.