Why Daily Devotions?
“Give ear to my words, O LORD, consider my meditation. Hearken unto the voice of my cry, my King, and my God: for unto thee will I pray. My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O LORD; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee, and will look up.” (Psalm 5:1-3 KJV)
Here I am—grounded again and it’s only the start of day two. Dad’s hidden behind the newspaper with his morning coffee. Mom’s running around the kitchen finishing lunches, flipping pancakes, and reminding us she can’t take us to school if we miss the bus.
My little sister, not yet old enough for kindergarten, has spooned applesauce all over her hair and my younger brother has just informed Mom that it’s his turn to bring the mid-morning snack to class.
I picked at soggy pancakes, thinking of ways to ask Mom and Dad about the dance this Friday night. The dopest guy in the entire school has asked me to go and telling him my parents won’t let me would mean ridicule from all my friends. Just five more days and I won’t be grounded anymore but that’s too late. One whole week of solitary confinement just for lying; it’s not fair. I’ll never get caught lying again!
I hate my life. Mom and Dad are always concerned about money and bills, I always get stuck baby sitting my brother and sister, and we never do anything fun. The only thing we do together as a family is go to church. Why go to church anymore? Why should I read my Bible or pray? Why am I so miserable? If I’m a Christian, then why do I feel like I’m swimming around in a fishbowl with nothing to look forward to?
* * *
Does this reflect the way some of your days start? Do you feel the despair and discouragement this teen feels? Think about how many days you start out with feelings of selfishness and anger, letting emotions rule your behavior and decisions. Were you able to have a quiet time and Bible reading any of those mornings? And if so, was it enough time to really grasp God’s Word and wait for Him to speak to you?
David, the psalmist, knew the secret of a close relationship with the Lord. “In the morning, O LORD, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation.” (Psalms 5:3 NIV1984)
In the morning our minds are fresh, not yet bogged down by the problems of the day. It’s a good time to communicate with God and “breathe deep the breath of God.” The teen in this story had a gloomy outlook for the day and defeated her trust that God was in control. She had a distorted “fishbowl” view and was feeling injustice at her punishment.
But the crime justified the punishment and by her statement, “I’ll never get caught lying again,” it’s evident that her heart hasn’t changed. Spending time with God and meditating on His Word would have given her understanding about the situation she couldn’t grasp by herself. Daily devotions and quiet time with the Lord can free you from the confines of the world.
Devotionals provide an opportunity to grow and discover new truths. The Lord has a special path for your life. Know your God, He’ll fulfill your vision and free you from the fishbowl!
Life Application:
How’s your day been? Ever feel like going back to bed and starting all over again? Try a devotional for breakfast. You may not need the oats!
Cindy Scinto, Editor, iBeGat.com
Forgotten
I’ve screamed so long my lungs are hoarse, my fists have slammed against the wall so many times the skin is broken and bleeding streaks of red down my bedroom wall. No one’s home right now. And even worse—I can swear no one is listening. Even if someone was, they must not care about me because nothing is changing. No matter how many tears I weep in the night, no matter how low and broken I’ve become, all I hear is silence. All I feel is the emptiness from the world.
God has forgotten me.
Have you ever felt this way? Frustrated and desperate for some kind of sign; some kind of proof that He’s there: that things will get better? That He hears you?
Let me assure you, He is. And He always will be.
Even more than that—God weeps with you! Jeremiah 8:21 says, “Since my people are crushed, I am crushed; I mourn and horror grips me.” (NIV) You are not in this alone! Hebrews 13:5b states, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” It is impossible for you to be forgotten! And most importantly, God cherishes you and nothing can change that!
Romans 8:39 “…(nothing) shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (NASB)
God hears you. God passionately loves you.
Remember, “Do your best, prepare for the worst; then trust God for the victory.” (Proverbs 21:31 MSG)
CHRISTINE WESSELIUS
Christine grew up in the windowless basement of her grandparent’s house and has thus been fondly nicknamed “The vampire in a box” by her friends. She has a strong affinity for sarcasm, shiny purple things, and random, useless information that “normal people probably wouldn’t care about.” She likes to sing, act, draw, write, read, and make fun of Prince Charming in her spare time. Some of her epic skills include: surviving a piano being dropped on her, carrying on a five hour conversation with a wall, and making a grilled cheese sandwich spontaneously explode. (read more…)
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