Liz’s Morning Devotional: Scripture selected from Upper Room
July 10, 2023
Paslm 4:1-8
1 Answer me when I cry out, my righteous God! Set me free from my troubles! Have mercy on me! Listen to my prayer! 2 How long, you people, will my reputation be insulted? How long will you continue to love what is worthless and go after lies? Selah 3 Know this: the LORD takes personal care of the faithful. The LORD will hear me when I cry out to him. 4 So be afraid, and don’t sin! Think hard about it in your bed and weep over it! Selah 5 Bring righteous offerings, and trust the LORD! 6 Many people say, “We can’t find goodness anywhere. The light of your face has left us, LORD!” 7 But you have filled my heart with more joy than when their wheat and wine are everywhere! 8 I will lie down and fall asleep in peace because you alone, LORD, let me live in safety.
Good Morning, Our Lord hears our prayers.
Many of us have a streak of stubbornness that lives within us. If kept in check, this trait can be helpful. When our stubborn side presents itself as persistence, then we can endure and continue to try despite our failures. As parents, we sometimes work so hard to provide our children with everything they need to succeed they don’t learn how to persevere when challenged. I spent much time with my young students providing them with a nurturing environment where they could learn the art of productive struggling.
Productive struggle is how we learn new things and become strong as we work through the ordinary setbacks that are part of problem-solving. For those who give up on each failure, life is hard. At some point, those without a bit of stubbornness/persistence give up and no longer try to do anything for fear of failure.
However, there is a point at which our stubbornness turns into pride. We become so consumed by the idea that we can do something on our own that we fail to see when it is time to ask for help. It is a very fine line between stubbornness that allows our persistence and our stubbornness that becomes synonymous with pride.
We must be willing to accept that there are things that require the help of others. There is no set standard to follow because this is not a one size fits all occurrence. God blesses each of us with different gifts, which means the bar at which we must surrender ourselves is unique to each of us.
When our struggles become filled with anxiety, then it is time to let go and ask for God’s help. 6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. 7 Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. 1 Peter 5:6-7
Deuteronomy 31:8-9 The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.
Matthew 28:20 I Will Be with You Always Even Unto the End of the World.
God promises to be with us always, no matter what!
Comforting God, We thank you! Thank you for being with us even when we forget. Help us accept your love. Again, we Thank You! In the name of Christ, we pray. Amen
Thought for the day: All day and all night, God is by my side.
God is with us! Pastor Liz
Comments