Happy Friday. It’s July 7th, 2023. Thank you for joining me on this 30-day Summer Challenge of doing devotions. I’ve been doing daily devotions for over forty years, and my only regret is the times I’ve slacked off … and because of it, I would feel empty inside. Keep your soul healthy. Your decisions will be far wiser, and the fruit in your life will be much more abundant. But beware - you’ll get tempted to copy others who don’t seem to care. Read on…
Today's Reading:
Hosea 10,11,12; Psalms 73; Hebrews 4
Scripture
"This is what the wicked are like — always carefree, they increase in wealth. Surely in vain have I kept my heart pure; in vain have I washed my hands in innocence … When I tried to understand all this, it was oppressive to me until I entered the sanctuary of God; then I understood their final destiny." (Ps. 73:13-17)
Observation
At first glance, life appears unfair. Like the Psalmist, we try to stay pure in heart and morally upright, but success, prosperity, or health eludes us, while the swindlers and wheeler-dealers seem to do just fine. Our struggle to stay pure doesn't seem to get us anywhere.
At first, anyway …
David tells us that it is not until we "come into His sanctuary" that we understand the fuller context of what's transpiring. Only as we gather under His wings will we start to connect the dots, and He reveals the big picture to us!
Application
Faith is living in advance what we will only understand in reverse. However, the reality is that we would often rather understand everything first, and then we'll believe! Isn't that how we were taught? Our business instructors told us that in order to succeed in any decision, you must remove as many doubts as possible, reduce risks, and accumulate guarantees. Then, when you've reduced the possibility of failure to near zero, you proceed.
But faith is different. It can involve "risk." You may not have overwhelming guarantees... only His promises and His presence. He will always bring assurance when we come before Him and He will give us new confidence when we draw near to the holy place of His presence. It could be just you, or it could be in the midst of the people of God. But it will be on holy ground that we receive what we need to take us across the finish line. Take time to draw near to His sanctuary again and again... as often as we can until we become people of great faith and confidence.
Prayer
Thank you for reminding me that Your Promises are Your guarantees. You have never failed. None of Your promises have ever fallen. I trust You and will continue to do so until You take me home to be with You forever.
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