DAILY DEVOTIONALS
Each day, the Brook Cherith adds devotionals and scripture verses
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.
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.
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! This doesn't mean we won't face trouble or difficulty. We will. What it means is that God will be with us to help us and protect us. Keep your faith.
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.
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 refresh.
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.
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.
Psa 119:11 Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.
God’s word is vital to our Christian life. His word is our defense against the lure of sin and the wiles of the devil. It is by God’s word that Jesus gained victory in His temptations. In a time when God’s word is so available to us in so many convenient venues, we are without excuse for not reading, treasuring and living out His word in a life of obedience.
Pro 13:13 Whoso despiseth the word shall be destroyed: but he that feareth the commandment shall be rewarded.
Over and over we need reminded that God’s word tends toward life, while disobedience leads to death. In our temptations, we can easily lose sight of this truth, but the fact remains. Obedience leads to the best life can be, while sin and disobedience leads to death and destruction.
Jas 1:19 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath: Jas 1:20 For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.
How often we get ourselves in trouble by speaking to quickly or by speaking in anger. We should give great effort to disciplining our self to listening, and to being careful in our response. Our anger does not produce a life of good and right.
Isa 42:3 A bruised reed shall he not break, and the smoking flax shall he not quench: he shall bring forth judgment unto truth.
Discouragement and trouble can often make us feel very weak. Sometimes there is not much left but smoke, the fire is dying out. Yet God is tender and patient. He works with the bruised so they not break. He fuels the smoking flax back to flame again. God will accomplish His purposes, both in the world and in your life. Are you bruised, just down to smoke? Run to God, allow Him to comfort and to fan into flame again.
Isa 46:4 And even to your old age I am he; and even to hoar hairs will I carry you: I have made, and I will bear; even I will carry, and will deliver you.
God is concerned about our whole life. He cares about us from the time we are conceived all the way to our old age and even beyond, into the life to come. He has promised that He will carry us safely all the way through.
Isa 51:11 Therefore the redeemed of the LORD shall return, and come with singing unto Zion; and everlasting joy shall be upon their head: they shall obtain gladness and joy; and sorrow and mourning shall flee away.
There is a joy that comes with gathering with the children of God. They gather home to spiritual Zion with singing and gladness. There is coming a day when we will be home, and all sorrow and sadness will be gone forevermore. Until that day, let’s enjoy the foretaste of heaven in the gathering together with God’s children
Jer 1:8 Be not afraid of their faces: for I am with thee to deliver thee, saith the LORD.
There are many things that can cause us to fear. Evil often seems so strong, but we are reminded that we really have nothing to fear. God is with us and has promised to deliver us. Let us trust Him more fully and not be afraid.
