Blessed
is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the
way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, but whose
delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day
and night. That person is like a tree planted by streams of water,
which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not
wither—whatever they do prospers. (Psalm 1:1-3)
My wife and I were
doing our devotion time, reading a devotional article by a well-known
author and the Bible readings that went with it, when it occurred to
us that the article didn't really hit us where we were living at that
time in our lives. The writer did a great job of pointing people to
Jesus and reminding the reader that in the Lord there is always hope
-- a springtime after the winter, a resurrection after a death,
healing after a wound, a source of help in a time of trouble.
As we talked about
it, we remembered that there were many times in our lives that we
held on tightly to the Lord and the hope that He offers. In fact, we
could offer our own testimonies to go along with those shared by the
author. So it was a great devotional article, full of truth and
encouragement in the Lord, but it wasn't for us at that time even
though there were many times in our lives when we could have used
that encouragement. Instead, the Lord showed us something else.
We realized that
the reason that we didn't have so many crises in our lives anymore
was because we had been following the Lord for over 30 years and our
current season of rest and peace was a result of abiding in Him and
making godly choices that produced a harvest of righteousness in our
lives. The reason we weren't in despair and needing a message of hope
was that we have sunk our roots deep into the Lord and know of His
faithfulness, even in the face of death, illness, trials, or
calamity.
Even so, even
though we have followed the Lord for decades, we are far from
perfect. We still have our bad days. We still struggle with issues of
the flesh from time to time. We still live in a fallen world where
all creation is groaning and waiting for the Lord to come back so we
face difficulties with health, finances, career choices, and all the
other stuff that is just a part of life. What makes the difference is
that we have planted ourselves in the Lord, sending our roots deep
into His living water, receiving the life and strength that He
offers, and then by His grace producing spiritual fruit in our lives
and even in the lives of those around us.
So then, when the
storms of life come upon us, we do not despair nor do we lose hope
because we know that we have built our house on the Solid Rock. And
many of the troubles that afflict so many people we have avoided
altogether by being good stewards, staying faithful to one another,
being kind and loving towards others, serving the Lord
wholeheartedly, and offering grace, mercy and forgiveness to those
who are struggling (including ourselves!).
Will you join us?
Maybe you already have, maybe you have been following the Lord for
decades like we have. But experience has shown us that many people
find it difficult to sink their roots deep in the things of the Lord.
Many of us want to delight ourselves in the Word and meditate on it
night and day but life just seems to get in the way. One moment it is
our heart's desire to be like that tree planted by the stream, full
of life and fruitfulness, but later that same day we find ourselves
making choices that lead to death and misery.
Our prayer for
everyone that reads this devotional is that you would draw nearer to
God than you ever have before and begin to develop habits, routines,
and ways of thinking that nurture your relationship with Him. Start
right now by doing what we did 30 years ago -- ask the Lord to make
you like that tree by the stream -- full of life, bearing fruit in
due season, experiencing the steadfast hope, indescribable joy, and
all-encompassing peace that comes from abiding in the Lord.
Action Points:
1) Do something to
help you get into the Word on a regular basis. Download the You
Bible app, find a Bible reading program or devotional website
online, begin reading a book of the Bible or a devotional book in
which you are interested.
2) Think about how
you can nurture you relationship with God throughout the day. Listen
to the Bible online while you are in the car. Put worship music in
your headphones as you take your walk. Carve out moments of solitude
when you can just relax and be in the Lord's presence. Spend time
with brothers and sisters in Christ on a regular basis. The
possibilities are limitless -- find out what works for you.
3) Make prayer a
part of who you are. Talk to God in your own heart throughout the
day. Develop a routine meeting place where you can talk to God out
loud without fear of embarrassment or being overheard. Just as you
would make a regular appointment with a friend, say 8am at the coffee
shop, make a regular time and place in your schedule to talk to God
-- your kitchen table in the morning, the back deck in the evening,
in the car or your bedroom, whatever works for you.
Let's Pray
Together: Lord God, I want to know you more. I want to sink my
roots deeper in You. I want to make my relationship with You a
priority in my life. I give you first place above everything else and
I'm begging you to help me to live out this commitment. Make me be
like that tree by the stream. Help me sink roots deep into You and
draw out of your Living Water. Let me be full of life and happiness.
Let joy, peace, hope, and love be mine. Help me to talk to you
throughout the day and to meditate on Your Word every chance I get.
Help me to develop good routines and habits that nurture our
relationship..... (keep praying as you feel led....)
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