DAILY DEVOTIONALS
Each day, the Brook Cherith adds devotionals and scripture verses
Exo 33:14 And he said, My presence shall go with thee, and I will give thee rest.
Another precious promise of peace and assurance! It is the presence of God that brings us peace and rest. It is the assurance of His care, His love and His mercy that brings us rest. He has promised that His presence would go with us. We are entering some uncharted territory, but we can go forward confidently knowing God is with us.
Psa 34:7 The angel of the LORD encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them.
What safety! The Lord doesn’t just check on us from time to time; His angels are camping out around us, surrounding us, all the time. Not only are they present, they are active in giving us the help and deliverance we need. Trust Him.
Mat 5:8 Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.
The idea of seeing God means to be in His presence in eternity. It is only those who are pure in heart that will have that privilege and that destiny. To be pure in heart means to have the right attitudes and the right motives for what we do. It is more than just doing right…it is doing right for the right reasons.
Rev 4:11 Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.
Oh how much our Lord is worthy of praise!! Everything that was created in this world was created by Him and for Him. We need to keep a proper perspective on this life. We also were created by Him and for Him. Let’s allow our hearts to well up in awe to the Creator God.
Isa 43:2 When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.
Though we may go through the fire and the floods, we are promised that God will keep us safe. There are many things in life that we have to go through. We don’t always get to avoid the difficult places in life. God doesn’t always spare us difficulties, yet He has promised to take care of us. Trust Him. Live confidently no matter how the future looks.
Mat 10:32 Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven. Mat 10:33 But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven.
We are sometimes tempted to hide our identification with Christ in this hostile world. Sometimes we fear rejection from those around us. This passage brings us a sobering thought. If we won’t be identified with Jesus here, neither will He claim us in that great Judgment Day. In that hour, only one thing will matter: Will Jesus claim us as one of His? Identify fully in this life as one of His, so there can be no doubt in that hour.
Jas 1:12 Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.
The enduring of trials and temptations is rarely pleasant. The self denial necessary to stay faithful through these trials and temptations can be painful at times. Yet we have the promise of the crown of life that the Lord has reserved for those who love Him. Truly, when we endure these difficulties and temptations, we have a great blessing in store.
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 34:8 O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him.
We are encouraged to experience the goodness of God. It one thing to hear of God’s goodness, it’s another to experience it. God’s goodness is experienced by our trust in Him. One who trusts in God is blessed, and the experience of that blessing is to taste and see that God is good.
Mat 5:6 Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.
In this unusual time, my prayer is that we continue to hunger for righteousness, hunger and thirst 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.
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 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. This is a confusing, unsettling time. Do what you know to do and trust God. He will not fail.
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. Continue to trust Him in this shaking time.
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 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. We are in an unprecedented time in our life, but God is more than able. Seek Him for the help we need.
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. Let's earnestly seek wisdom for the unusual time we find ourselves now in.
Psa 29:2 Give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name; worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness.
What a privilege to be able to worship the Lord! We are to give God the glory that He deserves. We are to praise Him, exalt Him, adore Him and magnify Him above everything because He is worthy! We are to worship the Lord in the beauty of a changed life, a life motivated by love to God and love to others; a love lived out in right motives and attitudes within, right words and right actions. What a beautiful and joyous occasion when the children of God extol His awesome love and holiness in the sweetness of a clean heart and clean hands. Even though we are in an unusual time where we may be separated from our brothers and sisters today, let's make sure we worship God. Worship and praise Him, and pray for our nation.
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.
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.
1Pe 5:7 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.
We all have worries, cares, anxieties. We can give them ALL to Him, because He truly loves us and cares for us. It is this faith and confidence in Him that allows us to have peace and joy in the midst of uncertainty and difficulties
