Liz’s Morning Devotional based upon Upper Room
March 24, 2022
Read 2 Samuel 22:31-37
31 God! His way is perfect; the LORD’s word is tried and true. He is a shield for all who take refuge in him. 32 Now really, who is divine except the LORD? And who is a rock except our God? 33 Only God! My mighty fortress, who makes my way perfect, 34 who makes my step as sure as the deer’s, who lets me stand securely on the heights, 35 who trains my hands for war so my arms can bend a bronze bow. 36 You’ve given me the shield of your salvation; your help has made me great. 37 You’ve let me walk fast and safe, without even twisting an ankle.
Good Morning, It is God who provides us with strength and guides us on our path.
This passage is part of a long account by King David who is speaking of his deliverance from his enemies. It is a personal summary of David’s life. The earlier verses of the chapter begin by praising God and discussing his deliverance from his enemies. In the middle of the chapter, David examines why God chose to deliver him. In this section of the last verses of the chapter which we examine this morning, David recognizes that his deliverance comes solely from God who is perfection.
What can we learn from passages that speak of overcoming enemies? In David’s case, these passages often refer to battles, but we too fight battles. Maybe not with swords and bows, but we fight battles against evil, against addictions, and against our own feelings of doubt and unworthiness. David believes that God delivers the righteous and the humble. He freely calls upon God when he is troubled as we read throughout his writings. David also is willing to “argue” with God when he feels abandoned.
Sometimes, it seems easier to avoid talking to God when we don’t feel as if our prayers are being answered. We fall into that childlike mentality where we run and hide if things aren’t going our way. God is always with us and it is okay to voice all our thoughts. After all, God, our creator, knows our thoughts before we speak them, but in speaking them we are able to admit to ourselves that we are in need of guidance, forgiveness, and love.
We serve a mighty God. Be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Ephesians 6:10 God has a resource of power (His might) that He makes available to us by faith. We don’t have to be strong in our might, but we can be strong in His might.
When we don’t seem to understand why our prayers are unanswered we must remember 8“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. 9 “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. Isaiah 55:8-9
These words are not a good excuse or a cop-out to explain God’s seemingly lack of action. These words remind us that God is in charge and we can’t always see the big picture through which God’s love and mercy are constantly moving. With God by our side, each challenge reveals unexpected blessings.
Loving and Gracious God, Thank You for loving us. We find it easy to praise you when things are going as we want, but we find it easy to doubt when things seem wrong. Help us! In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen
Thought for the day: God blesses me with unexpected gifts.
Believe! Pastor Liz
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