Liz’s Morning Devotional: Scripture selected from Upper Room
November 6, 2024
Psalm 119:97-105
97 I love your Instruction! I think about it constantly. 98 Your commandment makes me wiser than my enemies because it is always with me. 99 I have greater insight than all my teachers because I contemplate your laws. 100 I have more understanding than the elders because I guard your precepts. 101 I haven’t set my feet on any evil path so I can make sure to keep your word. 102 I haven’t deviated from any of your rules because you are the one who has taught me. 103 Your word is so pleasing to my taste buds it’s sweeter than honey in my mouth! 104 I’m studying your precepts that’s why I hate every false path. 105 Your word is a lamp before my feet and a light for my journey.
Good Morning! The word of God for the people of God!
For most of my youth and adult life, I primarily read the books of the New Testament and the Psalms. The Old Testament has many long passages filled with difficult-to-pronounce names and, on the surface, seems distant and irrelevant to our time today.
One of the blessings of my pastoral studies is being plunged head-first into the stories of the Old Testament. It is amazing when you stumble through the names, dates, and places and get to the crux of the story.
When you read the Old Testament from the perspective of discerning the message, hiding among the laws and barbaric ways are words that make you stop and say, “Wait a minute, this is describing our problems and challenges in our time.”
A few weeks ago, I read about Moses’ father-in-law reminding him to make time for self-care in Exodus. Now, he didn’t use our 2024 vernacular, but there it was thousands of years ago. In the Book of Ruth, we learn about accepting and being hospitable to those who come to our country from another land and the need to give the poor a way to meet basic needs.
We learn of our ancestors who, by the grace of God, exhibited great faith as they encountered life's challenges and persevered to overcome evil. On this day, November 6, 2024, return to the Bible to find the words to give you hope, peace, love, and joy that will lead you to final victory in Jesus.
Dear Lord, We are your children! You give us all we need to fight the good fight so that goodness and love will prevail and triumph over evil. Thank you! In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen
Thought for the day: God’s wisdom in scripture brings clarity to our confusion.
When you feel lost, return to God’s Word! Pastor Liz
Amen!