Liz’s Morning Devotional based upon Upper Room
July 18, 2021
Read 1 Kings 8:54-61
54 As soon as Solomon finished praying and making these requests to the LORD, he got up from before the LORD’s altar, where he had been kneeling with his hands spread out to heaven. 55 He stood up and blessed the whole Israelite assembly in a loud voice: 56 “May the LORD be blessed! He has given rest to his people Israel just as he promised. He hasn’t neglected any part of the good promise he made through his servant Moses. 57 May the LORD our God be with us, just as he was with our ancestors. May he never leave us or abandon us. 58 May he draw our hearts to him to walk in all his ways and observe his commands, his laws, and his judgments that he gave our ancestors. 59 And may these words of mine that I have cried out before the LORD remain near to the LORD our God day and night so that he may do right by his servant and his people Israel for each day’s need, 60 and so that all the earth’s peoples may know that the LORD is God. There is no other God! 61 Now may you be committed to the LORD our God with all your heart by following his laws and observing his commands, just as you are doing right now.”
Good Morning! This is the day that the Lord has made! Let us rejoice and be glad in it!
As I walked around my neighborhood this morning, the wispy cirrus clouds in the eastern sky caught my attention. I felt as if I were in the presence of a multitude of angels as the clouds were backlit by the light of the dawn’s sun that was still below the horizon. I was drawn to the uniqueness of each wispy wing. All around me the birds were singing the glory of God.
Our God is an awesome God who transcends time and space. With each passing day, each scripture read, I am constantly reminded of my calling to love God with all my heart, soul, and mind. Each child of God is promised to be cared for and protected, and God is with us every moment, every hour, of every day: watching, listening, laughing, and loving us for we are a part of His creation which he declared “good”.
I hear people who question the existence of God and people who declare there is no need to worship God. Some say, “I am a good person, so why do I need to believe in God.” I ask, “What does it mean to be a good person?” I’m sure that we can make a list of attributes of a good person, but can anyone truly attain “goodness” on their own? As Christians, we understand that we are imperfect, sinful people who are saved by Jesus who died for our sins. Only through Christ are our sins forgiven. Christ is our gateway to eternal life. As children of God, we are called to bring all to Christ, to gather in the entire flock, good and bad, so that all may join together in peace and joy. All may feast at God’s heavenly banquet. May every chair be filled as we join together in fellowship.
Loving God, Thank You for loving us. You are a mighty God who calls us to gather in the flock. There is so much doubt and darkness in our world. May we trust in the power of the Holy Spirit within us to bring your lost children back to the fold. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen
Thought for the day: God is with us, every moment, every hour: forever! Hallelujah!
Listen! God wants to talk! Pastor Liz
Liz, Many people benefit from you answering God’s call into the ministry as He works and speaks through you in many ways, including your Daily Devotions based on The Upper Room. I’m so grateful to God that I am one of those people! Love and prayers, Donna G.