Daily Devotional For Sunday, April 14, 2024

Good morning Southside. It’s Sunday — the Lord’s Day. Have you noticed it seems the world has simply gone off the deep end spiritually? Several years ago China was secretly working on a “chain of function virus” that escaped their lab. HELLO — Covid spread all over the whole world. When we had lockdowns, did the virus go away? No. When we cancelled schools, did the virus go away? No. When we shut down churches and businesses, did the virus go away? No. When we turned to our government for a vaccine, did the virus go away? NO! When we quarantined people up to 10 days, did the virus go away? NO! 

Where am I going with this? When tragedy happens, we tend to turn to everyone else for a solution rather than God. I believe there are times God decides it is time “to shake up this sinful world” that mocks Him. I think God allows this at times so that we forced to consider who and where is our ultimate salvation and trust. Is it in government? Is it in educators? Is it in politicians? Or, is it in Jesus Christ?

The prophet Nahum lived during very tumultuous times. Assyria was the ruling superpower. Assyria had conquered the Northern Kingdom called Israel in 721 BC. No longer an independent nation with their own king and borders, now they were part of Assyria as slaves. Yet, Assyria was about to be conquered by another growing super power called Babylon, who would conquer Assyria from 626-609 BC. Once conquered, Babylon secured the northern kingdom of Israel as well. But Babylon did not want to stop there. They wanted the southern country called Judah. And in 3 major military campaigns in 606 BC, 598 BC and 586 BC Judah was not only conquered, but literally devastated as if a nuclear bomb had hit them. 

No more Temple. Thousands were carried off to live as slaves in Babylon and thousands died in the desert going from Judah to Babylon. Their rotting skeletal remains God would use to give Ezekiel his vision about the Valley of the Dry Bones. Prophets such as Daniel and Jeremiah would now live as slaves in exile in a foreign country. Psalm 33:12a, “Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord” (ESV). Notice — blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord. 

We live in a world with science, politics, medicine, eduction, and government as our idols. We look to these to be our savior and to rescue us from the virus called life. Only in rare occasions does God get our attention such as 911 or a bad medical report. The prophet Nahum wrote these words in Nahum 1:7, “The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; He knows those who take refuge in Him” (ESV). Do not mislead yourself. God knows when we sincerely turn to Him for help and whether or not that help is more of a “Hail Mary” or it is a call for help that radically motivates us to commit to Him no matter what. 

King David was a man who depended on God for everything. He wrote these words in Psalm 46:1, “God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble” (ESV). I believe that we only see God as a 911 panic an emergency call, but not as an every day relationship we nurture and go to Him for all things. As I have said many times, I do believe very few people have the fear of the Lord in them. 

Proverb 9:10-12 states, “Fear of the Lord is the foundation of wisdom. Knowledge of the Holy One results in good judgment. (11) Wisdom will multiply your days and add years to your life. (12) If you become wise, you will be the one to benefit. If you scorn wisdom, you will be the one to suffer” (NLT). Notice what this say: having a fear or respect of God gives you wisdom, good judgment, additional days to your life and you will benefit from this. If you do not, you will be the one to suffer. I think at times God gives us what we want — a life without Him. 

We want independent lives without God interfering, without God’s Word convicting, guiding and directing us and without guilt from our sin. When we live like this, We experience what Galatians 6:7-8 states, “Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. (8) For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life” (ESV). In other words, God lets us reap and keep what we sow. George Munzing writes this:

“If you cheat in practice, you'll cheat in the game. If you cheat in your head, you'll cheat on the test. You'll cheat on the girl. You'll cheat in business. You'll cheat on your mate. Sow a thought, reap an act. Sow an act, reap a habit. Sow a habit, reap a character. Sow a character, reap a destiny” (Source: George Munzing, “Living A Life of Integrity,” Preaching Today, Tape No. 32).

It is common for us to hear someone say, “Well, you reap what you sow.” Maybe our country and churches are reaping what they have sown — life without God, without God’s Word and without God’s guidance. 

Questions To Consider

1. When it comes to your relationship to Jesus Christ, is more of a 911 call or a daily consistent walk and conversation with God? Why?
2. Would God say you have a healthy fear of God in your life or do you just simply go about your day doing whatever you want, saying whatever you want however you want to say it with no fear of God? Explain.
3. Would God say you want Him in your life, interfering with your plans, thoughts, actions and words? Explain. 
4. Since this is the Lord’s Day, would you consider going to God for everything in your life first before you go to anyone else? Why or why not?

Scripture To Meditate On: Proverbs 1:7, “Fear of the Lord is the foundation of true knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline” (NLT).

Prayer To Pray: Heavenly Father, You are my refuge and strong tower in the midst of trouble—I rejoice in the safety of Your strength. Help me cooperate with Your Holy Spirit so my thoughts might be pleasing to You. Create in me a pure heart with a willing spirit to refuse ungodliness and accept Your invitations to proclaim the wonders of my Lord. I believe with all my heart the truth of Proverbs 3:5-6, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. (6) Seek His will in all you do, and He will show you which path to take” (NLT). .In Jesus' name, Amen!”

I love you Southside! — Pastor Kelly