Your Daily Crossroad
14
Jan '19
Worshiping with Questions
14
Jan '19
But I have trusted in thy mercy; my heart shall rejoice in thy salvation. (Psalm 13:5)
It’s not uncommon during a long (or short!) trip for someone in a group of travelers to ask, “Are we there yet?” or “How much longer?” Who hasn’t heard these universal queries coming from the lips of children and adults eager to arrive at their destination? But people of all ages are also prone to ask similar questions when wearied because of life challenges that never seem to cease.
Such was the case with David in Psalm 13. Four times in two verses (vv. 1–2), David—who felt forgotten, forsaken, and defeated—lamented “How long?” In verse two, he asks, “How long must I wrestle with my thoughts?” Psalms that include lament, like this one, implicitly give us permission to worshipfully come to the Lord with questions of our own. After all, what better person to talk to during prolonged times of stress and strain than God? We can bring our struggles with illness, grief, the waywardness of a loved one, and relational difficulties to Him.
Worship need not stop when we have questions. The sovereign God of heaven welcomes us to bring our worry-filled questions to Him. And perhaps, like David, in due time our questions will be transformed into petitions and expressions of trust and praise to the Lord (vv. 3–6).
Lord, thank You that I don’t have to stop worshiping when I have questions; I can worship You with my questions. Amen.
When I read today’s devotion it blessed me. I love when it said, worship need not stop when we have questions. Don’t allow the enemy to rob you of your joy and peace. Each and every day, bring your questions to God with worship and praise in your heart and mind. God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble (Psalm 46:1). Praise Him in the storm.
Have a beautiful and uplifting day in The Lord!
Today’s Reading is Lamentations 3:22-23
11
Jan '19
Algae and Diatom
11
Jan '19
Hearken unto this, O Job: stand still, and consider the wondrous works of God. (Job 37:14)
“What’s a diatom?” I asked my friend. I was leaning over her shoulder looking at pictures on her cell phone she had taken through a microscope. “Oh, it’s like algae, but it’s harder to see. Sometimes you need a drop of oil on the lens or they have to be dead to see them,” she explained. I sat amazed as she scrolled through the pictures. I couldn’t stop thinking about the intricate detail God put into life that we can only see with a microscope!
God’s creation and works are endless. In the book of Job, one of Job’s friends, Elihu, points this out to Job as he struggles through his loss. Elihu challenges his friend, “Listen to this, Job; stop and consider God’s wonders. Do you know how God controls the clouds and makes his lightning flash? Do you know how the clouds hang poised, those wonders of him who has perfect knowledge?” (Job 37:14–16). We, as humans, can’t begin to understand the complexity of God and His creation.
Even the parts of creation we can’t see reflect God’s glory and power. His glory surrounds us. No matter what we’re going through, God is working, even when we can’t see it and don’t understand. Let’s praise Him today, for “Which doeth great things and unsearchable; marvellous things without number” (Job 5:9).
Lord, thank You for the detail You put into creation and for being at work even when we can’t see it. Amen.
When I read this devotion it blessed me. We must remember each and every day, no matter what we may be facing, God is always working. He is faithful.
Have a beautiful and uplifting day in The Lord!
Today’s Reading is Psalm 118:5-6
10
Jan '19
Free from Frostbite
10
Jan '19
Make me to go in the path of thy commandments; for therein do I delight. (Psalm 119:35)
On a winter day, my children begged to go sledding. The temperature hovered near zero degrees Fahrenheit. Snowflakes raced by our windows. I thought it over and said yes, but asked them to bundle up, stay together, and come inside after fifteen minutes.
Out of love, I created those rules so my children could play freely without suffering frostbite. I think the author of Psalm 119 recognized the same good intent in God as he penned two consecutive verses that might seem contradictory: “So shall I keep thy law continually for ever and ever. And I will walk at liberty: for I seek thy precepts” (vv. 44–45). How is it that the psalmist associated freedom with a spiritually law-abiding life?
Following God’s wise instruction allows us to escape the consequences that come from choices we later wish we could undo. Without the weight of guilt or pain we are freer to enjoy our lives. God doesn’t want to control us with dos and don’ts; rather, His guidelines show that He loves us.
While my kids were sledding, I watched them blast down the hill. I smiled at the sound of their laughter and the sight of their pink cheeks. They were free within the boundaries I’d given them. This compelling paradox is present in our relationship with God—it leads us to say with the psalmist, “Make me to go in the path of thy commandments; for therein do I delight” (v. 35).
Dear God, give me a love for Your ways like the psalmist had. I want to worship You with the choices I make every day. Amen.
When I read this devotion I was reminded, obedience flows freely from a heart of love.
Have a beautiful and uplifting day in The Lord!
Today’s Reading is 1 Peter 1:15-16
09
Jan '19
The Mood Mender
09
Jan '19
In the multitude of my thoughts within me thy comforts delight my soul. (Psalm 94:19)
As I waited at the train station for my weekly commute, negative thoughts crowded my mind like commuters lining up to board a train—stress over debt, unkind remarks said to me, helplessness in the face of a recent injustice done to a family member. By the time the train arrived, I was in a terrible mood.
On the train, another thought came to mind: write a note to God, giving Him my lament. Soon after I finished pouring out my complaints in my journal, I pulled out my phone and listened to the praise songs in my library. Before I knew it, my bad mood had completely changed.
Little did I know that I was following a pattern set by the writer of Psalm 94. The psalmist first poured out his complaints: “Lift up thyself, thou judge of the earth: render a reward to the proud. . . . Who will rise up for me against the evildoers? or who will stand up for me against the workers of iniquity?” (Psalm 94:2, 16.) He didn’t hold anything back as he talked to God about injustice done to widows and orphans. Once he’d made his lament to God, the psalm transitioned into praise: “But the Lord is my defence; and my God is the rock of my refuge” (v. 22).
God invites us to take our laments to Him. He can turn our fear, sadness, and helplessness into praise.
Lord, I pour out my heart to You. Take my hurts and my anger, and grant me Your peace. Amen.
This devotion blessed me. We all need to be reminded of how praise has the power to lighten our heaviest burden. Be encouraged today and take a praise break. He is The Rock in whom I take refuge, amen!
Have a beautiful and uplifting day in The Lord!
Today’s Reading is 1 John 5:14