Press the arrow to listen to Kris and Kristyn Gettys sing “In Christ Alone” while reading about God’s blessing.
Scripture Let them shout for joy and rejoice, who favor my vindication;
And let them say continually, “The LORD be magnified,
Who delights in the prosperity of His servant.” Psalm 35:27
Observation
There can be days when the howling pack of critics can drown out any voice of hope. We cannot hear words of encouragement, nor can we hear self-confidence within. But there will come a day when the background noise around us will change. Doubt will be replaced with praise.
Our hope is this: God will give our friends a reason to sing again, because he will be good to us. What they will see is not us but the magnanimity of God. There may be days of hardship, but the Father delights in our well-being. Days of visible favour will come. What will be seen on those days of blessing is not ourselves but who God is.
Application
The Father is navigating my life into prosperity. There may be days of difficulty, but disappointment is always temporary. We have surrounding us a Father who delights in our good. He seasons us only to qualify us to inherit the good he has prepared for us.
Prayer
Father, I believe that you are good and that you desire my prosperity. You are a kind Father, and a wise one as well. You give me the gift of suffering with Christ as well as reigning with him. I embrace both and anticipate your prosperity. Amen.
Press the arrow to listen to Matt Redman sing with Hillsong London “Greatest Gift” while reading today’s devotion on God’s provision.
Scripture And he called to him two of the centurions and said, “Get two hundred soldiers ready by the third hour of the night to proceed to Caesarea, with seventy horsemen and two hundred spearmen.” Acts 23:23
Observation
Four-hundred and seventy soldiers marching with one missionary handcuffed in the middle. It must have been quite a sight to watch Paul being escorted in the dead of night out of Jerusalem and up the highway to the safety of Caesarea.
The Father knows how to care for his own. Paul had a promise from the Lord that he would take the gospel to the centre of the empire, to the city of Rome. God alone would get him there, funded by the Roman taxpayers.
God does have a sense of humour in getting his work done. There were many ways he could have funded this missionary journey. Only the Father could manage to get the Roman government to foot the bill and arrange for a personal interview with the Caesar.
Application
I don’t need a contingent of 470 soldiers at the moment, but there are unfulfilled promises that the Father has made to me. I want to see them accomplished. It’s reassuring to know that God has so many alternatives at his disposal. There are times I try to think up how God can pull of a hoped for answer to prayer. But such fantasies I think must frustrate the Lord. His ways are far more interesting if I’ll just ask and be patient.
Prayer Father, as you have delivered Paul, so too deliver me and usher me into your purposes. Amen.
Press the arrow to listen to this worship song while you read today’s devotion.
Vineyard UK All Who are Thirsty
Scripture Caleb said, “I will give my daughter Acsah in marriage to the one who attacks and captures Kiriath-sepher.†Othniel, the son of Caleb’s younger brother, Kenaz, was the one who conquered it, so Acsah became Othniel’s wife.
When Acsah married Othniel, she urged him to ask her father for a field. As she got down off her donkey, Caleb asked her, “What’s the matter?â€
She said, “Let me have another gift. You have already given me land in the Negev; now please give me springs of water, too.†So Caleb gave her the upper and lower springs. Joshua 1:12-15
Observation
This little real estate story from the life of Caleb is an odd bit of trivia to record in the Bible. It is listed for us twice, both here in Judges as well as in Joshua. Like so many other places in the Bible, I find myself wondering why it is given so much page space. I come to the conclusion yet again that if God repeats soemthing, then the story must be significant for us to learn from.
Caleb was the weathered old warrior who kept a dream alive for 45 years until he saw it fulfilled in his retirement. But this story shows us another side of the geriatric general. Caleb was a gracious man too. He gave away generous rewards to those who shared his zealous heart. To the one who fought a battle he gave precious land. To his daughter he gave a gift even before she asked. Caleb had not only remained passionate he had also managed to remain compassionate as well. Passion and compassion are an outstanding combination.
Acsah was a determined daughter. She took a risk to ask for more. She and her husband had been given land, but it was dry land. Like a good wife who wants her husband to succeed, Acsah wanted her man to have all that he needed to excell. She astutely perceived the need for water. What was more, Acsah had the courage to go to her father and do the ask. Others may have tried to survive in the desert on a few scattered raindrops, but she asked for refreshment in the desert place.
Application
When I read this story, I see something of God in Caleb and us in Acsah. The Lord is a generous God, especially to those who share his heart of adventure and risk for things that are eternal and significant. There are times God gifts to us the desert place. There is room to live, but nothing to drink. Too often we are content with that, when the Lord would give more if we would but ask. That is where our faith comes in to ask the Lord for more. We should not be reluctant, for he wants to generously give to us. There is a freedom for us to ask for water to be added to our dry desert. I want to ask more of the Lord, for he is more kind than I could understand.
Prayer Father, today thank you for desert places, for it is here that desire is created. That would not happen in lush environments. You have give to us land in the desert, now give to us springs of water as well. Amen.
Scripture And I am praying that you will put into action the generosity that comes from your faith as you understand and experience all the good things we have in Christ. Your love has given me much joy and comfort, my brother, for your kindness has often refreshed the hearts of God’s people. That is why I am boldly asking a favor of you. I could demand it in the name of Christ because it is the right thing for you to do. But because of our love, I prefer simply to ask you. Consider this as a request from me—Paul, an old man and now also a prisoner for the sake of Christ Jesus. I appeal to you to show kindness to my child, Onesimus. Philemon 1:6-10
Observation
Amidst the burning car bodies and tear gas canisters that littered the streets after the Detroit riots of 1968, a slender red headed woman picked her way through the debris field with her parish priest. Her emotions rose into action as together they founded Focus: HOPE, an organization that has brought life to the impoverished residents of the inner city. The executives of the Big Three automakers have been knocked over by the tenacity of Eleanor Josaitis in her passion to give hope to broken lives.
What has released not just millions of dollars, but even the willingness of auto executives to volunteer their time in the organization? As Eleanor says in her spitfire way, “Just ask! It is amazing what people are willing to do for the goodwill of others if they are just asked.”
Philemon had more than money he also had heart. But that heart would not be opened until someone did the ask. Paul had the courage to ask not for himself but for others who could not speak for themselves. It reminds me of when Jesus sent the disciples into the city to get a donkey for the parade. Someone has to do the ask to enable God’s purposes to go forward.
Application
I wonder if Gods purposes hobble at arthritic speed because leaders are not willing to do the ask. Bill Hybels says that the lead pastor of a church is the chief fund raiser of the organization. We need to overcome the selfishness of asking for ourselves and to see things from a kingdom perspective. The Lord has need of it. That should be our motivation.
Prayer Father today I am going to “do the ask” about a variety of things. Help me to act out of the confidence that this is not about me but You adn that ultimately those I ask will be happier beause I did for they will enjoy the joy of giving. Amen.
I'm Phil McCallum, a husband, father and most of all one of the people Jesus loves. I'm privileged to serve Evergreen Community Church in Bothell, Washington as Senior Pastor where people love enough to believe "it's all about relationships." In 1982 I made a vow to read God's word daily and apply it to life. Each day I write out my reflections. Some days I post those on my blog. It's a little personal but it's my hope it will stir you to go deeper still. Learn how I do my devotions. These are my thoughts and not necessarily those of the ministry I serve. By the way check out the computer study Bible Glo. I highly recommend it.
