Surround Me Oh Lord

Devotional Text: Psalm 3:1-8

Summarizing Thoughts:
The Lord is aware when people come against me and attack me physically, verbally and/or emotionally in an attempt to kill my spirit, destroy my reputation and cause me to question my relationship with God. They may even deny God's power to protect me and discourage any attempts to daily make progress in my walk with God. But the Lord is my shield and His power, authority and influence circles me on all sides - meaning my ears are protected from the harsh words and criticisms of others, my heart is protected from becoming overwhelmed with all forces of negativity, my feet are protected from obstacles that may try to trip me up, my hands are kept from reaching out to other sources of help that will not be as successful, my mouth is guarded from speaking evil to those who attack me or speaking doubts when I am afraid, my eyes are guarded from seeing fully the scale of attack that is set up against me and every trial I will have to face, and my mind is safe and assured of God's peace and grace to sustain me through the trial.

The Lord is my glory - the highest treasure I own, my honor and greatest achievement I can obtain! It is He who keeps my head raised high above my problems, positioning my face to only look up at Him, the source of my help. I can cry out to him in my pain and distress and He actually hears me and answers me. This gives me courage and comfort to know that He has heard my cry and is fully aware of those things that concern me. Since He has everything under control, I do the only thing left to do - I go to sleep and get the rest I need for the next day - He has it from here! The light of the new day doesn't bring me stress. I awake fully refreshed, basking in the peace of God! The grace He extended the day before continues to sustain me!

There is no need to stress about the problems and situations that seem to surround me because God still surrounds me. In the midst of my turmoil, Lord, stand tall! Show that you are bigger than all the chaos around me. Bring me through it all with victory! It is the Lord who has insulted the critics around me and put them to shame. In their humiliation, they are without words - words to criticize, discourage, ridicule or mock me. They are completely embarrassed and exposed! Victory belongs to You, Lord! Bless all who bare Your name with this same provision of grace!

Personal Application: It is never a good feeling to have someone ridicule me for trusting in the Lord. When I am the most discouraged I should take my concerns to the Lord. He already knows them anyway, but He might just want me to take the time to share them with him - just like a child who shares a concern with a loving parent who is already aware of the conflicts. He knows how to handle every situation and even knows the hearts and intents of my attackers. My only job is to trust in His ability and wisdom. When I go to Him in prayer about a situation I should leave it alone from that point forward. I should be able to go about my day as if there wasn't a problem because I trust He is working it out for me! Others who are aware of my situation will be watching and I want my life to be a testimony of God's good graces to those who love and serve Him.

Prayer Focus:
Faith that God hears me when I pray.
Guard my mouth, heart and mind.
Respond in a Christian manner to my attackers.
Offer praise to God no matter my circumstance.
Practice a hands-off policy when I turn something over to God.

To Be Known by God

Devotional text: Psalms 139:1-24

Summarizing Thoughts:
The Lord didn't just glance over me, but He has thoroughly and painstakingly considered me. He is fully aware of every action I take and even knows what my thoughts are going to be before they are even developed in my mind. My God never rests, but watches over me both day and night. Not one of my actions are hidden from Him. Before I can even express in words how I feel or what I think, He knows all about it!

I can't hide from Him because he is everywhere. No matter what my situation, I am comforted because Your hand is on me. There is no way I can fully understand Your ways or how You operate. My mind just can't grasp it! There is nowhere in the world I can run to escape Your power, influence or watchful eye. The darkness is not even too dark for You because you created it and can see perfectly well through the darkest of circumstances.

You created me, too. Science can't fully explain the miracle of how you have created me inside my mother's body. It only takes one look around and my very soul becomes aware that it had to be Your hands that put into existence such wonders as human life with all its complexities. Every day of my life has already been recorded by you before I was even born!

Lord, I wish evil people who take pleasure in killing those who love you would have their lives ended by Your hands. They only spread evil and hate and when they mention Your name it's only tied to cursing. Is it only right that I hate their intents? Is it only right that my heart should hate those who hate You and make themselves Your enemies? I will admit that I hate them and that they are also my enemies!

But Lord, search me and know the way I think. Test my heart and intent. Know every thought that crosses my mind. If you see that I am wrong, correct me and place my life, every step I take, on that path You determine is correct and represents You.

Personal Application: I must be careful how I think, where I go, what I do and what I say because God is always aware! I can't hide from Him! I shouldn't be afraid to be corrected by Him because He loves me and only wants what is right for me. Just like David was honest in his thoughts and expressions to God about hating evil people, I too should be honest in my prayers. He already knows my thoughts anyway! No need to sugar coat them or lie to Him about how I feel. He will address my prayers and show me the error of my heart. I know He will point me back to His word and remind me of the grace He extended to me.

Prayer Focus:
Help me to acknowledge You in everything.
Remind me that You already know my thoughts and needs.
Humbleness when You correct me.
Honesty in my conversations with You.

A Name Worthy of My Praise

Devotional Text: Psalms 113:1-9

Summarizing Thoughts:
Those who serve the Lord should whole-heartedly, and without coercion, give Him praise. Not only praise Him, but His Name - that awesome name of Jesus. It is so important to know, recognize and proclaim His name. Only then can we offer true praise.

For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6 ASV). When I call upon him in prayer I do acknowledge that He has been so WONDERFUL to me; He remains a true COUNSELLOR in my time of confusion and lack of direction; He proves time and time again that He is a MIGHTY GOD and that no one compares to Him; He is my EVERLASTING FATHER and I can go to Him and speak to Him because of this close relationship we share; and He effectively speaks peace to me and/or my situation because He is the PRINCE OF PEACE with authority over any situation.

I call Him so many things because He has been so many things to me! But how wonderful it is to know His name! Those in the Old Testament did not know His name because it was not revealed. He was widely known as the I AM. It wasn't until His miraculous birth that His true name was revealed. And she shall bring forth a son; and thou shalt call His name JESUS; for it is He that shall save his people from their sins (Matthew 1:21 ASV). And, of course, it is good to be reminded "that in the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven and things on earth and things under the earth (Philippians 2:10 ASV)." However, I don't want to be one of those who, at the end of time, is forced to acknowledge and praise Jesus, but I want to do it now, willingly and with gratefulness.

Once I have acknowledged the Lord's name as Jesus, I can pick up with the writings of the Psalmist and proclaim, "Praise the name of the Lord!" I can give thanks with my whole heart to the name Jesus my whole life, no matter where I am or the time of day. What a revelation to know that the Lord our God is Jesus and that His glory cannot be measured. He sits high above everything, even heaven and earth, but this does not prevent Him from noticing me or any poor person who needs a helping hand. He willingly bends down to pick us up. He can take a lowly person stuck in the filth and refuse of life and place him or her with people of influence and power. What a life changing experience! Verse 9 is even more amazing! He can take a woman who is unable to have children and perform a miracle of healing and showcase His power of creation by allowing her to experience the joys of motherhood!

Yes, praise His wonderful name! That wonderful name of Jesus!

Personal Application: I must be a servant of the Lord. The servant must know the Master's name and the power and authority that name holds. It must be my personal desire to praise him with a thankful heart no matter how I feel, what situation I find myself in, or what others may think or say about Him. I must read His Word daily to know the power and authority he has and displays when others proclaim His name. I cannot be persuaded or discouraged because others do not want to acknowledge His name or attempt to prevent me from using it. When I pray, I pray to Jesus. When I bless something, it is in the name of Jesus. When I rebuke something, it is in the name of Jesus. When I ask for something, it is in the name of Jesus. "And whatsoever ye do, in word or in deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him (Colossians 3:17 ASV)."

Prayer Focus:
Open my understanding of the power of the name of Jesus
Remove any doubts I may have about the authority granted to the name Jesus
Greater love for the Lord
Desire to serve the Lord with all my heart
Patience as I learn and grow while reading the Bible
Willingness to accept and act upon what I read in God's Word
Approach God with an attitude and lifestyle of praise
A heart that is humble
Ability to recognize all the areas in which God helps me

Blessed is the Person Who Fears the Lord

Devotional Text: Psalms 112:1-10

Summarizing Thoughts:
The person who fears the Lord will not only obey His Words with gladness, but will humbly recognize God's wisdom and authority. When I recognize His authority over me and my situation, I'm happy to do whatever He commands because I know He loves me and has my best interests in mind. To disobey Him would simply say that I know best; that I have more wisdom and understanding than the God who created the heavens and the earth; and reveal that the spirit of pride that only comes from the influences of Satan is operating and directing my life.

When my view of God is in proper perspective, I will teach the wisdom of God to my family, who, in turn, will also grow to love, respect and serve Him; therefore becoming just as blessed as me. What a heritage to pass down! 

No matter what God's decision for me, He is forever righteous - right in His direction for my life; right in what He permits to happen to me; right in what He chooses to keep from me. Even if I can't see my way and don't know what to do, I can always trust in Him because He will always be that light which guides me. Yes, He is merciful enough to withhold due punishment from me when I deserve it; compassionate enough to see my need and provide for me when I'm unable to provide for myself and/or family; and fair enough to allow life to happen to me just like it does for everyone else. I am satisfied in knowing that it is He who holds my future.

My trust is in the Lord! when I see someone in need, I willingly give to satisfy their need because I know the Lord will satisfy mine. He has blessed me greatly; maybe not with riches, but with energy, time, ability, talent and a few dollars here and there - not to hoard to myself, but to share. God will always take care of me! So why stress when things don't go the way I think they should? My confidence is in the Lord's ability to simply be God - that merciful, compassionate and fair God His Word says He is. No need to let life's events startle me or fear what will become of my future. In the end I will succeed.

My unwavering faith and generous spirit will be a testament of God's activity in me and will ultimately bring me an honorable reputation and lifestyle. Those who do not cherish the Lord or humbly obey His Words will always hate my success. They just can't stand it when I'm blessed, happy and content with where God has led me. They will try to bring me down and harm my good name - no not my name, but His name. Once I have been tested, I can look around and take note that those who came against me could not but out God's light in me, for God continues to sustain me. So where are they, those who come against me? They are nowhere to be found because our life and hope only exists in Him.

Personal Application: I must first learn to recognize God's authority by reading the Bible everyday! His Word will never change, so I must not try to change it by dismissing any of it because I don't like it, agree with it (this is pride) or prefer to do things my own way (again pride). I must pray faithfully everyday! I must maintain a close relationship with Him in order to trust Him. Just like I want to be able to trust Him with my deepest secrets and needs, He also wants to be able to trust me with the deep things of His Word and can rely on me to perform for Him when He has a need.

Prayer Focus:
Increased trust in God's ability
Persistent prayer life
Humbleness
Removal of pride from my heart, attitude and lifestyle
Greater love for God's Word
Willingness to give and faith to believe God will provide