I have so much to do (today) that I should spend the first three
hours in prayer.
-- Martin Luther
June 27, 2007
A Rock that Is Higher
By Van Walton
“From the end of the earth I call to You when my heart is faint;
Lead me to the rock that is higher than I.” Psalm 61:2 (NASB)
Devotion:
Do you ever allow others’ dispositions to dictate your mood? I do. I believe most women allow themselves to become preoccupied when they perceive that a member of their household seems overly… well just not “with it” for some reason.
If my son is struggling with his grades, I struggle. Listening to his brother describe his life’s challenges, I take on the burden. When my husband is under stress, I stress out.
I recall my dad’s long illness. Life literally came to a halt for me. How could I go about my daily routine when Daddy was suffering so? I simply could not function knowing his condition. Initially the details of his failing health overwhelmed me. Slowly sadness consumed me. Eventually my preoccupation with Daddy’s deterioration paralyzed me. I lost my ability to function.
I know God commands us to bear each others’ burdens. The problem with me is that I don’t stop at “bear.” I carry my concerns to extremes. I feel like a traitor if I ignore difficult issues being faced by the ones I love. I feel I need to be in mourning, wearing black, dragging myself and everyone around me into my grieving experience.
Misery loves company, right? However, God’s Word commands us to rejoice in all things! Where’s the balance?
Recently I caught my husband being overly pensive. It concerned me. That Sunday morning he remained extraordinarily quiet. I tried to justify his silence - He has been coughing. Maybe he’s getting sick. Yet he assured me all was well. On the way to church I sensed tenseness in the air between us. I wondered, Is it something I have done? I thought, Maybe he isn’t telling me because it is way more serious than I can handle. Quickly I sent up a prayer. But I have to admit that when we parked the car, I parked my thoughts on worry. In church he leaned forward and placed his head in his hands. My upward climb toward a meaningful worship experience came to a halt.
With a momentous note the piano brought the congregation to life, while the worship director motioned for us to all stand. In one accord the congregation collectively pierced the room with a song of praise. I looked up to my husband, seeking assurance that all was well. Before my eyes found his face, God interrupted my contemplations by reminding me of a childhood experience.
The children in my neighborhood would hike up into the surrounding hills. We’d spend the week discussing last Saturday’s hike. While making plans to explore mountain tops and peaks, we challenged ourselves to higher goals and longer hikes. Each Saturday morning we pointed out a spot far in the distance and made that our destination. Inevitably, when we arrived at our spot, we agreed to move higher. There was always a place ahead, higher still.
God reminded me that Sunday morning as I looked up at my tall husband for strength, assurance, and comfort, that I had not focused on a high enough place.
My husband is powerful, confident, and secure, but I place too many expectations on him! When he exhibits signs of instability, I lose my footing! I know this is not my heavenly Father’s plan.
With sounds of worship all around, God grabbed my attention. I heard Him say, “Don’t stop here. There is a place that is higher…” With a deep sense of comfort, I joined the congregation with songs of praise for the One who is higher than I. He is God, the Almighty who sits on His throne. He is the one who has compassion on my worldly circumstances, understands my moody moments, and is able to take control of my confusions. He is my goal, the direction I need to take, and the face I need to seek.
Dear Lord, I am guilty of allowing the things of earth, my family, preoccupations, challenges, and struggles to get in the way of my climb to the ultimate high. You are the place I want to go. Keep me moving until I reach You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
From the Pound to the Palace by Van Walton
A Woman’s Secret to a Balanced Life by Lysa TerKeurst and Sharon Jaynes
DO YOU KNOW HIM?
Application Steps:
If you do not own a hymnal, consider getting one. The words to the old songs are as rich as their music. Find in your hymnal “Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus” and sing it. Or you can go here to find the words to the song online.
Reflections:
Do I have an unhealthy dependence that takes my focus off God? Create a list of your dependencies.
What steps can I take to keep myself focused on Jesus?
Power Verses: Psalm 3:4, “I was crying to the LORD with my voice, and He answered me from His holy mountain.” (NASB)
Hebrews 12:1-2 a, “…let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus…” (NLT)
In Touch Daily Devotional
by Dr. Charles Stanley
June 27, 2007 – The Consequences of Indulging Weaknesses – Judges 13:24-25
At salvation, believers become new creations set apart for God’s purposes. The Lord has a specific plan for the life of every believer. And Second Peter 1: 3 says He provides every believer the resources to accomplish his purposes.
Consider Samson. At the time of his birth, Israel was under Philistine rule. Judges 21:25 says people in that wicked culture “did what was right in own eyes.” God ordained Samson be set apart for His service. As Judges 13:5 says, Samson was the one who would “begin to deliver Israel from the hands of the Philistines.” To prepare Samson for this mission, the Lord gave him godly parents. God blessed him with an upbringing uncontaminated by the culture. The Lord also gifted him with incredible human strength. Samson was greatly blessed as he matured. He became Judge over Israel, with the authority to carry out God’s will.
God equipped Samson with everything he needed to fulfill the Lord’s purpose. But Samson had a weakness ??? lust. He chose to indulge his desire, and it eventually led to his downfall. As a result, he ended up a prisoner, no longer in a position to fulfill his God-given purpose.
The Lord equips us with the ability to resist giving in to our weaknesses. But we must be willing to turn away from temptation and follow the Lord. Samson had enormous potential to demonstrate righteousness on behalf of God. So do we. But he chose sin and suffered the consequences. Will you turn to God for help today or indulge in your weakness?
The Elements of Prayer|Its ground: God, by whose goodness it
springeth in us. |Its use: to turn our will to His will. |Its
end: to be made one with Him and like to Him in all things.
-- Julian of Norwich
In Touch Daily Devotional
by Dr. Charles Stanley
June 26, 2007 – Times of Temptation – 1 Corinthians 10:6-13
The Scriptures teach that every one of us will occasionally be tempted to do the opposite of what God commands. The circumstances we face aren’t unique. Others have faced similar situations. As we learned yesterday, we can “H.A.L.T.” some of our times of weakness. You can prevent becoming too hungry, angry, lonely or tired by eating regularly, experiencing God’s peace, fellowshipping with others, and getting enough rest.
But where does the urge to sin come from? The source of temptation is the culture, the Devil, or something within ourselves. The world wants us to join its sensual, selfish pursuits. Satan wants to turn us away from God. And our sin nature wants us to be in control, not the Lord.
Does God ever tempt us? No. James 1:13 says our Father doesn’t want us to do evil. But He will test us to reveal our motives and attitudes. And He also uses times of testing to mature us and transform us into Christlikeness. His work is always for our good.
Is it sinful to experience temptation? No. Feeling tempted isn’t the same as committing a sin. The Devil tempted Jesus at a time of great weariness and physical need He had spend 40 days in the desert without food. Don’t judge yourself harshly when you feel tempted toward ungodliness. Only when you act upon it do you cross the line into sin.
The Lord knows exactly how to rescue us in times of temptation. How good are you at responding to His direction?
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