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I will always have hope…. (devo reflection)

Exodus 18:1 Now Jethro, the priest of Midian and father-in-law of Moses, heard of everything God had done for Moses and for his people Israel, and how the Lord had brought Israel out of Egypt.

Verse 1 has me, once again, thinking about God-stories and how sharing how we see God showing up in our lives is such a blessing, to us and to others. Just this week I have seen the power of sharing our God-stories with others, how those stories lead to other stories and to encouragement and hope.

Exodus 18:2 After Moses had sent away his wife Zipporah, his father-in-law Jethro received her 

And now I am thinking of Psalm 71:14, “As for me, I will always have hope; I will praise you more and more.” I can’t help but think that sharing those God-stories, that encouragement, makes God happy as we praise Him and encourage each other.

Exodus 18:3 and her two sons. One son was named Gershom, for Moses said, “I have become a foreigner in a foreign land”; 

Precious Savior, Help us never underestimate the power of sharing our God-stories. Thank You for the hope and encouragement that comes from sharing with each other reminders of how You show up for us in our lives. Thank You, Jesus. Amen.

Exodus 18:4 and the other was named Eliezer, for he said, “My father’s God was my helper; he saved me from the sword of Pharaoh.”

Have a blessed day.

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Thoughts and questions…. (devo reflection)

Exodus 16:28 Then the Lord said to Moses, “How long will you refuse to keep my commands and my instructions? 

The first thing that comes to mind about verse 28 is that God’s yelling at Moses because the Israelites aren’t behaving, which feels grossly unfair. It’s a knee-jerk reaction on my part to be sure. Moses is the leader of the Israelites, and he did tell God no several times even before he said yes.

Exodus 16:29 Bear in mind that the Lord has given you the Sabbath; that is why on the sixth day he gives you bread for two days. Everyone is to stay where they are on the seventh day; no one is to go out.” 

The second thing that snags my attention is verse 30. I wonder what that rest looked like for the Israelites. Were they able to “Be still and know” that God is God (Ps 46:10)? Was it a forced stillness where they had to continually reign in their errant thoughts? Were they able to relax, focus on, and praise God on the seventh day?

Exodus 16:30 So the people rested on the seventh day.

Precious Savior, Thank You for the thoughts and questions that come to me as I read Your word. Each day, help me to learn more about who You are, who You are to me, and who I am to You. Help me to draw closer, to shine Your light, to be still and know You are God. Always. amen.

Exodus 16:31 The people of Israel called the bread manna. It was white like coriander seed and tasted like wafers made with honey.

Have a blessed day. 

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On being still…. (devo reflection)

Exodus 14:13 Moses answered the people, “Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again. 

Exodus 14:14 is a favorite of mine, and it always makes me think of Psalm 46:19 “Be still and know that I am God….” Both talk about the need to be still in the Lord, to know Him, to trust Him. For many, myself included, that being still part can be incredibly difficult.

Exodus 14:14 The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.”

I’m a huge “God helps those who help themselves” person, which implies that I have to go, to do, to work. And if I’m honest, I know that underneath all that busy-ness is the hope that somehow it is enough, that somehow I’ve done enough, that, hopefully, I’ve done my part, which always makes me wonder if I’m not still missing the directive to “Be still…” in the Lord.

Exodus 14:15 Then the Lord said to Moses, “Why are you crying out to me? Tell the Israelites to move on. 

Precious Savior, You call me to be Your hands and feet in this world. You also call me to “Be still” in You, in Your presence, in Your goodness, and to know that You are God and You are all I need. As You know, I struggle, mightily, with the balance between stillness in You and working for You. Know that my heart is Yours. Help me to find stillness in You. Amen.

Exodus 14:16 Raise your staff and stretch out your hand over the sea to divide the water so that the Israelites can go through the sea on dry ground.

Have a blessed day.

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Glimpses of God…. (devo reflection)

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All of my sorrows…. (devo reflection)

Genesis 50:6 Pharaoh said, “Go up and bury your father, as he made you swear to do.”

I don’t think, as a culture, we know how to handle death and grieving well. I know, as an individual, I struggle with both the permanence of the physical loss and the enormity of the emotional pain. Should I cry and sob, scream and wail, exhausting myself with the effort of expending all the emotion? Is it better to stop the tears, bottled up the grief?

Genesis 50:7 So Joseph went up to bury his father. All Pharaoh’s officials accompanied him—the dignitaries of his court and all the dignitaries of Egypt— 

1 Thess 4:13 reminds me that we do not grieve as those who have no hope. Psalm 56:8 reminds me that God knows every tear that I cry, all of my sorrows, so I know the process of grief and grieving is important to the process of healing, and I know that my Creator cares about my grief and pain.

Genesis 50:8 besides all the members of Joseph’s household and his brothers and those belonging to his father’s household. Only their children and their flocks and herds were left in Goshen. 

God of the grieving, Thank You for the reminder that You care about our heartaches. Help us learn to grieve fully our earthly losses so that we don’t get stuck in our grief and pain. Thank You for the reminder that we do not grieve as those who have no hope. Amen.

Genesis 50:9 Chariots and horsemen also went up with him. It was a very large company.

Have a blessed day.

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Putting trust into practice…. (devo reflection)

Psalm 57:9 I will praise you, Lord, among the nations; I will sing of you among the peoples.

Loving Father, Today’s weather still has me thinking about storms and boats and You, napping, because You *know* there is nothing to fear. Forgive me, when I am afraid, for being angry that You don’t treat a situation like it is the catastrophe that I feel it is.

Psalm 57:10 For great is your love, reaching to the heavens; your faithfulness reaches to the skies.

Dear Lord, You don’t treat it as a catastrophe because You are already on the other side. It’s not that You don’t care, it’s that You know it will all work out because You are eternally victorious. Help me, in the middle of the metaphorical storm, in the middle of the metaphorical ocean to remember *who* You are and who You are *to me.* You will never leave me nor forsake me. I can trust You, even when I am afraid.

Psalm 57:11a Be exalted, O God, above the heavens;

Precious Savior, Help me to strengthen my toolbox with techniques that I can use when the panic sets in: breathing deeply, closing my eyes, repeating “Jesus is napping. He’s not concerned. He’s already won.” Whatever it takes, Lord, help me to employ it. I trust You. Help me to put that trust into practice, especially when I am afraid. Amen.

Psalm 57:11b …let your glory be over all the earth.

Have a blessed day.

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Regaining my footing (devo reflection)

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Sinking my roots in Him…. (devo reflection)

Psalm 57:6a They spread a net for my feet—

The first thought that comes to mind when I read verse 6 is Genesis 50:20, “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good….” Although, when the quote is capped here, it almost seems to indicate that I am always right and possibly God’s favorite. But I’m pretty sure that God doesn’t play favorites, and I’m certain that I’m not always right. God also doesn’t have a magic wand that instantly makes everything go my way.

Psalm 57:6b …I was bowed down in distress.

However, God does care about me deeply and wants my faith to grow and mature, and He can use all situations to help me trust Him more deeply. In that way, He can use all things for good, He can use all things for my good and His glory by helping me dig my roots deeper into Him no matter the circumstances.

Psalm 57:6c …They dug a pit in my path—

Precious Savior, Thank You that You can and do use all things for my good and Your glory. Thank You that even when others intend harm, You can use situations for good by allowing me to sink my roots deeper into You in every storm. Help me to trust You. Always. Amen.

Psalm 57:6d …but they have fallen into it themselves.

Have a blessed day.

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Praising His holy name…. (devo reflection)

Psalm 57:4a I am in the midst of lions; I am forced to dwell among ravenous beasts—

What strikes me in verse 4 today is the vivid imagery: “in the midst of lions,” “among ravenous beasts,” “teeth are spears and arrows,” “tongues are sharp swords.” There is a palpable sense of danger here. And yet….

Psalm 57:4b …men whose teeth are spears and arrows, whose tongues are sharp swords.

And yet… In verse 5, God is exalted. His glory is praised. That’s the default that I want to have: even with a palpable sense of danger, even in the valleys, even when life is going sideways, I want to praise His holy name. I’m better at it than I was, but I’m not as good at it as I hope to be. Jesus, Help me.

Psalm 57:5a Be exalted, O God, above the heavens; 

Precious Savior, Thank You for the reminder that You are sovereign; therefore, I can praise You even in the chaos because You are still with me, still in control, still ultimately victorious. Sometimes that’s hard to see and believe, but it’s always true. Help me to live that truth. Help me to praise Your name, always. Amen.

Psalm 57:5b …let your glory be over all the earth.

Have a blessed day.

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Trusting Him…. (devo reflection)

Psalm 57:2 I cry out to God Most High, to God, who vindicates me.

As I was pursuing Pinterest emails this morning, I came across this phrasing of Psalm 112:7, “She confidently trusts the Lord to take care of her.” The NIV version of that verse is, “They will have no fear of bad news; their hearts are steadfast, trusting in the LORD.” Both versions speak to what David is saying in this morning’s verses.

Psalm 57:3a He sends from heaven and saves me,

Google defines trust as: (n) firm belief in the reliability, truth, ability, or strength of someone or something. Trusting humans can be difficult. Trusting God seems like it should be easier, but my fear, worry, anger, etc etc tells me that for me at least, it’s not as easy as it should be. Trusting Him–first, always, completely–is definitely something that God’s working with me on.

Psalm 57:3b …rebuking those who hotly pursue me—

Precious Savior, Thank You that You know me completely, faults and all, and You love me fiercely anyway. Thank You that I am fearfully and wonderfully made, exactly as I am. Thank You for working with me on the areas that I need to give over to You. Help me, Jesus. Amen.

Psalm 57:3c …God sends forth his love and his faithfulness.

Have a blessed day.