My Daily Pause

Category: Devotional

  • The Savor of Salt

    The Savor of Salt

    An extreme measure had to be taken with the sinful children of Israel. The very thing that got them dropped from God’s good grace – the thing that got them captured – the thing that was going to get them destroyed once and for all had to be dealt with.

    As soon as they got back to their own land they began to intermarry with the idolaters that lived nearby.

    Ezra took care of it by having them put away those wives. It was expressly forbidden to intermarry if one was a Jew. (Ezra 10)

    In the same way the God’s chosen people were to be different, we Christians are to be a peculiar people or a chosen people. We are to influence and be leaders. This is the savor in the salt that Jesus was talking about (Matthew 5:13) When we join with the world, we lose that ability.

  • God is Great, God is Good

    God is Great, God is Good

    God is Great,
    God is Good,
    Let us thank Him for our food.
    By His hands we all are fed,
    Give us Lord our Daily Bread.

    Adults tend to forget the simplicity and core truth of this children’s mealtime prayer.

    Like the author of Psalm 73, we might question the prosperity of the ungodly. Many stumble completely away from God because of the question.

    The writer wants us to remember that this life is not about this life. It is ALL about the next life and the preparation to get there. If we remember the prosperity enjoyed by many in this is temporary, we can focus on the real reward waiting for us after the judgment.

    Just like the lovely ending of the Psalm says, (Psalm 73:28) our time here is to tell others about him:

    But for me it is good to be near God;
    I have made the Lord GOD my refuge,
    that I may tell of all your works.

  • God Loves You

    God Loves You

    Paul said a lot of loving things to the addressee of his letters. I wish we were all ready with the words to comfort those facing difficulties like Paul was.

    The closing of Romans 8 (Romans 8:38-39) may be some of his best work:

    38 For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

     

  • Beautiful Deeds

    Beautiful Deeds

    As I read Psalm 66 I can’t help but think about all of the beautiful weather and scenery pictures I see from my friends all around the world. Just today my Facebook stream was full of snowy mountains from Virginia.

    God’s deeds are awesome – both in the way the world works with finely tuned precision, to the great miracles recorded for us in the Bible to prove his word. (Mark 16:20)

    Even more awesome, is how he answers prayers for those that depend on him. (Psalm 66:13-20)

    Even Jesus said we have access directly to the Father (Mark 16:23)

    And in that day ye shall ask me nothing. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you.

  • Sinful Men Doing God’s Will

    Sinful Men Doing God’s Will

    Isn’t it hard to believe that the Pharaoh’s heart was so hard that he could say no to Moses after so many plagues? If you remember from Exodus 4:21, God told Moses that he would harden Pharaoh’s heart. It worked so well that the Pharaoh allowed the plague of frogs to stay an extra night when he could have ended it immediately. (Exodus 8:9-10)

    God delivered “Shock and Awe” to the world with power and control like none alive at the time had ever seen. This is a good place to start when trying to figure out how to apply it, but it goes so much deeper. I hope you noticed it:

    God can do his work through evil men just as easily as he can work through his followers!

    Romans 13:1-7 authorizes governments without defining what model they use – It could be a democracy or a dictatorship. It also reminds us that that power is God-given. Sooo … What does that mean for us?

    We don’t have to despair when we are governed by sinners. Keep God in view and focus on doing his will and he will deal with the rest.

    Bonus: David addresses a similar theme in Psalm 64

  • Sing and be Happy

    Sing and be Happy

    When King Saul was pursuing David to kill him, David prayed only to be delivered – He did not seek the death of Saul, God’s anointed king. Psalm 59:5-15.

    How do we handle our enemies?

    • We shouldn’t seek vengeance
    • We shouldn’t curse God
    • We can’t ignore their error, else we’ll no longer blush (Jeremiah 6:15)

    We can take the opportunity to be like Christ and love our enemies (Matthew 5:43-48)

    Enemies seem powerful because they have no fear of God. Rebuke or warnings do no good because they have no belief. We just trust that God will take care of it. (Romans 12:17-21)

    David reacted by singing. No matter how much talent you have, singing to God from the heart is an excellent strength building exercise. (Psalm 59:16-17) Peter and Silas made it famous while in jail one night. (Acts 16:25) Worship God and wait for Him.