Your Daily Crossroad
Mightier than All
The Lord reigneth, he is clothed with majesty; the Lord is clothed with strength . . . (Psalm 93:1)
Iguazu Falls, on the border of Brazil and Argentina, is a spectacular waterfall system of 275 falls along 2.7 km (1.67 miles) of the Iguazu River. Etched on a wall on the Brazilian side of the Falls are the words of Psalm 93:4, “Mightier than the thunders of many waters, mightier than the waves of the sea, the Lordon high is mighty!” (rsv). Below it are these words, “God is always greater than all of our troubles.”
The writer of Psalm 93, who penned its words during the time that kings reigned, knew that God is the ultimate King over all. “The Lord reigneth,” he wrote. “Thy throne is established of old: thou art from everlasting” (vv. 1–2). No matter how high the floods or waves, the Lord remains greater than them all.
The roar of a waterfall is truly majestic, but it is quite a different matter to be in the water hurtling toward the falls. That may be the situation you are in today. Physical, financial, or relational problems loom ever larger and you feel like you are about to go over the falls. In such situations, the Christian has Someone to turn to. He is the Lord, “that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us” (Eph. 3:20) for He is greater than all our troubles.
Lord, I know that You are powerful and greater than any trouble that might come my way. I trust You to carry me through. Amen.
When I read this devotion I was so blessed by it and at the very end it said this, Never measure God’s unlimited power by your limited expectations. The entire devotion is beautiful but that one sentence jumped off the page at me, it’s my motto, I’m going to write it down and remind myself of it each and every day. I pray it blesses you today and that you can take such truth and hold tight to it, for He is indeed far greater than all our troubles! Amen! Encourage someone today, you never know what they may be going through, they may be feeling as if they are in the water hurtling toward the falls and they may need to be reminded of this.
Have a wonderful day in The Lord!
Today’s Reading is Psalm 93
The Pit or the Rock
The house in which I grew up was built in the late 1800’s and still had some of the relics from that period, such as an old cistern located in the backyard. I think at one time it had been a source of water. Since it was no longer used or needed, the opening was loosely capped with a rusty round lid. As a kid, I remember being in fear of accidentally falling into it. My imagination conjured up this image of a deep dark pit with a sinking bottom in which I would be forever trapped. I look back and think that maybe my fears were a little silly, but then I realize that sometimes as an adult I feel as if I wake up in that pit, dark and damp with no way out. Maybe a lot of us feel this way at times.
Reading the words of King David in this Psalm should give us all hope and encouragement. If David had such moments of despair, then we must know that our feelings of being trapped in a pit of miry clay are not unknown to our Lord. Jesus knew how David felt and He knows how we feel. The Lord hears our cries, the Lord inclines His ear to listen to us, and He will not only lift us up, but will lead us out. The key is to trust Him to do so. We must believe that the Lord is going to rescue us because we cannot do it in our own strength. Trying to climb our way out of the darkness is exhausting and depressing. And sometimes it is in that darkest moment, when we sense a hand reaching down, picking us up and setting our feet back on the rock. We did not need to try; we just needed to surrender our fears to the Lord.
Where are you today? Are you in the “horrible pit” or “upon a rock”? Regardless of the place you find yourself, just know that the Lord is right there with you. He is the only way out of the pit and He is the only one Who can establish our steps in the right direction. Pray today that you can trust Jesus for all your needs and that in trusting Him, you can wait patiently for His perfect timing.
When I read this three words came to my mind. God is good! His timing is indeed perfect. Again, I needed this reminder today. God amazes me, He always knows what I need when I need it and He speaks right to my heart. I pray today’s devotion speaks to your heart in such a way that you walk away changed, uplifted and encouraged. I know I did!! 🙂 Trust Him today for ALL your needs.
Have a wonderful day in The Lord!
Today’s Reading is Psalms 40, Acts 27:1-26
A Weapon and a Tool
And it came to pass, when our enemies heard that it was known unto us, and God had brought their counsel to nought, that we returned all of us to the wall, every one unto his work. And it came to pass from that time forth, that the half of my servants wrought in the work, and the other half of them held both the spears, the shields, and the bows, and the habergeons; and the rulers were behind all the house of Judah. They which builded on the wall, and they that bare burdens, with those that laded, every one with one of his hands wrought in the work, and with the other hand held a weapon. (Nehemiah 4:15-17)
Nehemiah left Babylon to return to Jerusalem because he had heard that the walls around the city were still in rubble. Though others had already returned to rebuild the temple, no one had determined to repair the walls and gates. This news brought Nehemiah to tears, as he fasted and prayed fervent prayers to God. He returned to Jerusalem determined to fix the broken walls, but he needed help and support from those around him. Nehemiah’s story is truly amazing in its purpose, preparedness, and planning. But even the best laid plans can come under threatening attacks–and his certainly did. Though they tried, those who were against the restoration of the walls and gates could not thwart Nehemiah’s plans. His men kept working, even as they had to strap a sword to their side for protection.
Our enemy is always lurking about us, roaming and seeking whom he may devour. But remember this: he cannot thwart God’s plans, even if he frightens us along the way. Nehemiah was aware of his enemy’s schemes and he did not allow those tactics to intimidate him or his workers. They kept a hammer in one hand and weapon in the other. Despite obstacles, persecutions and negative influences, we need to keep pursuing the things of God. Our enemy will use every trick in the book to keep us from being effective, productive and fruitful; but once we are aware of his schemes, we can fight back. Do not let fear, intimidation, insecurity or guilt keep you from being successful. Pray, plan and purpose in your heart to get going and do not stop. Be strong and courageous, and ask the Lord to guide your every step.
When I read this I honestly couldn’t think of anything more to add. What truth!! Today, I pray someone is as blessed by this as I am. I needed this today, no thing can thwart God’s plan! Amen!! Fast, pray and stay in The Word just as Nehemiah and his workers had a hammer in one hand and a weapon in the other hand, keep pursuing the things of God and do not allow the enemy to keep you from being effective, productive and fruitful. Fight back!! Pray, plan and purpose in your heart to get going and do not stop!! Amen!!!!!! 🙂
Have a wonderful day in The Lord!
Today’s Reading is Psalms 37, Acts 26
Who Has Your Hope? They Have Your Heart
For thou art great, and doest wondrous things: thou art God alone. Teach me thy way, O Lord; I will walk in thy truth: unite my heart to fear thy name. I will praise thee, O Lord my God, with all my heart: and I will glorify thy name for evermore. (Psalm 86:10-12)
A few years ago a man named Norm Wakefield said something I’ll never forget.
He was asking where I placed my hope—my real hope. He wasn’t going to let me off the hook with a cookie-cutter answer.
We dug deeper. And as I was honest, I realized how much hope I placed in things other than God.
I desperately wanted financial security. I was obsessed with people’s opinions of me. Put bluntly, I had an idol problem.
Then he told me: “Whoever has your hope, has your heart.”
What he meant was that wherever I trusted for ultimate happiness and satisfaction is where I placed my hope. And whatever I placed my hope in, had true control of my heart.
Today’s verses are a prayer from David—and he’s expressing this same sentiment when he asks God to “unite” his heart to fear God’s name.
David, like so many of us, was a man who struggled with a divided heart. Even though he was a man after God’s own heart (1 Samuel 13:14; Acts 13:22) his affections wandered.
That’s the crux, isn’t it?
Every Sunday we sing songs that agree with verse 10: “For you are great and do wondrous things; you alone are God.” Then on Monday our hope wanders from the one who is “God alone” and trusts in so many other things. So many idols.
Remember what God said about idols in Isaiah 44:20? The people “have no knowledge who carry about their wooden idols, and keep on praying to a god that cannot save.”
And what are David’s words? “Teach me your way, O LORD, that I may walk in your truth…”
Idols lie—they simply can’t deliver on their promises.
So, for anything that has your deepest hope, ask yourself these questions:
*Can this save my soul, or will it leave me empty?
So, who has your hope and your heart today? Pray with David for a united heart.
When I read this I initially thought, this is a bit lengthy but then when I couldn’t shake the importance of the message it was getting across I had to share it with someone today. Let’s take the time to truly ponder those four questions and maybe even write the answers down and then pray over them, earnestly pray and seek The Lord, be honest with yourself and watch God help you make the changes necessary to unite your heart. Who has your hope and your heart today?
Have a wonderful day in The Lord!
Today’s Reading is Psalm 86:10-12