Liz’s Morning Devotional based upon Upper Room
January 1, 2022
Read Psalm 90:1-12
Lord, you have been our help, generation after generation. 2 Before the mountains were born, before you birthed the earth and the inhabited world from forever in the past to forever in the future, you are God. 3 You return people to dust, saying, “Go back, humans,” 4 because in your perspective a thousand years are like yesterday past, like a short period during the night watch. 5 You sweep humans away like a dream, like grass that is renewed in the morning. 6 True, in the morning it thrives, renewed, but come evening it withers, all dried up. 7 Yes, we are wasting away because of your wrath; we are paralyzed with fear on account of your rage. 8 You put our sins right in front of you, set our hidden faults in the light from your face. 9 Yes, all our days slip away because of your fury; we finish up our years with a whimper. 10 We live at best to be seventy years old, maybe eighty, if we’re strong. But their duration brings hard work and trouble because they go by so quickly. And then we fly off. 11 Who can comprehend the power of your anger? The honor that is due you corresponds to your wrath. 12 Teach us to number our days so we can have a wise heart.
Good Morning! Welcome to a new year full of hope, love, and joy!
As we begin a new year, may we consider the journey of our recent past. It is important to reflect and celebrate where we’ve been, but more importantly, we must embrace where we might be called today and tomorrow. When we give our lives to Christ, we begin our journey of faith towards eternal life.
Our destination is exciting, but we are not to rush along the path. Jesus calls us to be present in our “now” and live each day to the fullest. I am reminded of the old saying, “don’t pass a fire, to get to a fire.” We do not know the day or the hour that our Savior will come to take us to glory, so we should work to not miss any opportunities to live our lives fully.
In our world of technology and distractions, it is often difficult to be present in the moment. How many times at a gathering of friends or family does the conversation wane because everyone is on their device? Don’t get me wrong, I love the ability to google something, play a game, and chat with others!
I don’t often make official New Year’s resolutions, but in this new year, I am going to work on being more intentionally present when with friends and family as we gather together. With the passing of each day, we should build on the strength and wisdom gained yesterday. I welcome 2022 as an opportunity to thank God for my continued blessings.
Creator God, Thank You for loving us. It is so easy to lose track of the days as they pass into weeks and years. Help us be intentionally present in our lives, so that we may experience everything that is available for us. Thank You. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen
Thought for the day: My agenda today is to be grateful for God’s blessings.
Pay Attention (again . . .)! Pastor Liz
I was just praying for God’s direction in 2022. Thank you for being His whisper.