Liz’s Morning Devotional: Scripture selected from Upper Room
May 10, 2024
Psalm 139:1-12
1 LORD, you have examined me. You know me. 2 You know when I sit down and when I stand up. Even from far away, you comprehend my plans. 3 You study my traveling and resting. You are thoroughly familiar with all my ways. 4 There isn’t a word on my tongue, LORD, that you don’t already know completely. 5 You surround me—front and back. You put your hand on me. 6 That kind of knowledge is too much for me; it’s so high above me that I can’t fathom it. 7 Where could I go to get away from your spirit? Where could I go to escape your presence? 8 If I went up to heaven, you would be there. If I went down to the grave, you would be there too! 9 If I could fly on the wings of dawn, stopping to rest only on the far side of the ocean 10 even there your hand would guide me; even there your strong hand would hold me tight! 11 If I said, “The darkness will definitely hide me; the light will become night around me,” 12 even then the darkness isn’t too dark for you! Nighttime would shine bright as day because darkness is the same as light to you!
Good Morning! God is with us always!
Do you remember the theme song to Cheers: Where Everybody Knows Your Name?
Norm went to Cheers because it is comforting to go where you are known. For most of us, we are ill at ease when we have to walk into a room or group where we don’t know anyone and no one knows us.
God knows not only our name but everything we think, say, or do. This is comforting and scary at the same time. Do we have deep, dark secrets that we have shared with no one? Do we have multiple personas that we maintain depending on our environment? Who are we at work? Is this different from who we are at church? What do we want to hide from God? These are only a few of the questions we could consider regarding who we are.
The Good News is that God welcomes us regardless of our past, and God is ready to forgive us when we give ourselves to him. The challenge is allowing ourselves to be vulnerable and admit our faults to ourselves and God. When we tear down our walls of shame and protection, we will find God’s peace.
5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:5-7
Affirming God, Thank you for this beautiful gift of life. Thank you for caring for us even when you know our faults. We thank you! In the name of Jesus, we pray. Amen
Thought for the day: Even when we are discouraged, God will help us carry on.
Come to God and find peace! Pastor Liz
Comments