DAILY DEVOTIONALS
Each day, the Brook Cherith adds devotionals and scripture verses
Jer 29:7 And seek the peace of the city whither I have caused you to be carried away captives, and pray unto the LORD for it: for in the peace thereof shall ye have peace.
We are just pilgrims passing through this land on the way to our home. Yet, we are encouraged to seek the peace and well being of the land where in we dwell, for in doing so, we also be able to experience that peace. Pray for our nation.
Psa 127:1 Except the LORD build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the LORD keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain. Psa 127:2 It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows: for so he giveth his beloved sleep.
We are prone to worry, bent toward stressing about many things. Yet, unless God builds, unless God keeps, our efforts will prove to be nothing. We don’t have to frazzle ourselves over the worries of life, fretting, working and worrying. By trusting in God, we can do our part and then leave it in God’s hands. We can rest comfortably knowing it is God who will add the blessing.
Psa 30:5 For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.
I am thankful that God does not hold a grudge. When we repent, He forgives, and His favor, His blessing returns to us. We are reminded that though the night may be long, and our sorrow intense, morning light does break again. With the dawning of the new day, hope springs again and joy returns. Hold steady, the light of the morning is near.
Psa 27:14 Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.
We are encouraged to wait on God. This waiting is an expectant waiting. It is like waiting on the bus…we expect it to come. Don’t despair if God has not yet moved. Continue to expectantly wait, being confident and encouraged. Again, for emphasis, wait expectantly on God.
Pro 28:13 He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.
It is a painful thing to fail. We are tempted to deny or ignore our failings. Such an approach never leads to good things. We are encouraged to be open before God, acknowledging our failings, our sins. It is this approach that brings the mercy of God on our life.
Psa 81:10 I am the LORD thy God, which brought thee out of the land of Egypt: open thy mouth wide, and I will fill it.
The God who has delivered us and done the impossible encourages us to ask largely. We are encouraged to ask and expect big things from our God. He has proven He is willing and able by His past help.
Jas 1:5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.
How often we simply don’t know what we need to know! Let us humble ourselves and seek God of all wisdom for that we stand in need of. Notice that God doesn’t berate us for our lack of knowledge, but instead gives abundantly when we humbly seek Him.
Mat 5:6 Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.
My prayer is that we come to the house of God hungering for righteousness, hungering and thirsting to have our life conformed to the image of Christ in every way. There are a lot of desires in this life that go unfulfilled, but this is one we can have satisfied. Make this the pursuit of your life and you will have a satisfying life.
Mat 5:9 Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.
How few there are today who are willing to be peacemakers. The reason? Because it costs us. A peacemaker is one who gives up their personal rights in order to obtain peace. They don’t demand their own way. I am not talking about compromising principles, but rather one who is willing to forgo their personal rights for the sake of maintaining peace. What a blessing they are in the home, on the job or in the church. These truly can be called the children of God in their unselfishness.
Psa 112:7 He shall not be afraid of evil tidings: his heart is fixed, trusting in the LORD.
It is our trust and confidence in God that allows us to face the future with confidence rather than fear. We are not struck down with fear when we hear a bad report, or a fearful outlook. Rather, we can overcome fear when our heart is steady in trusting in our good and loving God.
Pro 3:7 Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil.
We always get in trouble when we think we know better than God. Too often when confronted with what God’s word says, one will respond, “Yes, but…”. This is not only dangerous, it is also evil. We need to acknowledge in everything that God knows best and humble follow Him.
Isa 41:10 Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.
One of the most oft repeated commands in the Bible is “Fear not”. God is the reason we can overcome our fears. He has promised to keep us, to help us, to strengthen us and to uphold us by His power. This passage tells us to not fear or be dismayed, because He is with us. He said “I am your God”. What a promise! What a strength and confidence to face the future!
Mat 6:33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
We really only have one task in life: to pursue our relationship with God and His interests. We have this promise: if we make this the top priority of our life, God will take care of the rest. Too often, we allow our lives, our time and our energy to be expended in pursuing the things of this life and neglect the most important things. Let’s make sure we keep our priorities straight.
Deu 31:8 And the LORD, he it is that doth go before thee; he will be with thee, he will not fail thee, neither forsake thee: fear not, neither be dismayed.
I really like this passage. God knows the path we travel. God sees the future, and in that sense, He has already traveled the road before us. He will be with us, He will never forsake us, He cannot fail us. Therefore, no matter what the future may seem to hold, we need not be dismayed or fearful.
Psa 138:7 Though I walk in the midst of trouble, thou wilt revive me: thou shalt stretch forth thine hand against the wrath of mine enemies, and thy right hand shall save me.
Even in the midst of trouble, surrounded by enemies, God is able to keep and deliver us. Though their anger may grow hot, yet we are safe in God’s care. He will save us and revive us. Trust Him
Psa 89:7 God is greatly to be feared in the assembly of the saints, and to be had in reverence of all them that are about him.
There is a reverence that belongs to God, and that reverence ought to be seen in the assembly of His people. When we come together to worship, there is a familiarity that love brings, yet there is also an awe and reverence that is appropriate in His presence.
Psa 58:11 So that a man shall say, Verily there is a reward for the righteous: verily he is a God that judgeth in the earth.
Again, we are reminded that good will be rewarded. Often we are made to believe that doing right will cost us. This verse reminds us that there is indeed a God who is still in charge. It is God who has the final say, and in His justice, the good and right will be rewarded.
Pro 19:17 He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the LORD; and that which he hath given will he pay him again.
We are reminded that we have an obligation to the needy around us. When we meet the needs of those around us from a heart that has compassion, God will see that we not be the loser for it.
Joh 12:32 And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.
It is Jesus that draws men to Himself yet today. As the world looks on, may our prayer be that they see Jesus only in all we do and say .
Jas 4:8 Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.
Whenever there is a distance between us and God, a coolness in our relationship, it is never God who has moved. The fault is always ours. If we repent and do those things to draw close to Him, He will always draw close to us.
