“On my bed I remember you; I think of you through the watches of the night” (Psalm 63:6)

March 20, 2011

How David spent a sleepless night. Did his thoughts of God give him rest that dreams would not? There is a rest deeper than sleep found in Christ alone.

“Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from him” (Psalm 62:5)

March 19, 2011

Even our work should come from a place of rest knowing that Christ has finished the work of our salvation. All is well. Rest in Him.

“His winnowing fork is in his hand to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his barn, but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire” (Luke 3:17)

March 18, 2011

Have you gone down to the threshing floor to lay at Christ’s feet? This is what Ruth did for her kinsman-redeemer. Your redemption is in Christ alone.

“Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men” (Luke 2:52)

March 17, 2011

Jesus grew mentally, physically, spiritually and socially. Every year set a couple of goals in each category. Call them your Luke 2:52 goals. Ask God to help you grow more like Jesus. Then, depend on Him for change.

“For lack of guidance a nation falls, but many advisers make victory sure” (Proverbs 11:14)

March 16, 2011

Do you seek counsel before making decisions? Success is often a matter of following wise advice. Be willing to humble yourself to learn from others. Surround yourself with godly counselors.

“Immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue was loosed, and he began to speak, praising God” (Luke 1:64)

March 15, 2011

Zechariah had been mute for 9 months, when God opened his mouth. In today’s OT reading, God opened the mouth of Balaam’s donkey. God speaks. He even uses doubting daddys and disinclined donkeys.

“I cry out to God Most High, to God, who fulfills his purpose for me” (Psalm 57:2)

March 14, 2011

Rather than asking for God to help me with my plans, I’m crying out for His. Fulfill Your purpose in/for me.

“The Lord has done this for me,” she said. “In these days he has shown his favor and taken away my disgrace among the people.” (Luke 1:25)

March 13, 2011

Literally, “He looked on me.” The Lord sees our need. By His grace He removes our disgrace.

“Cast your cares on the LORD and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous fall” (Psalm 55:22)

March 12, 2011

Turn your worrying into prayer, your wasted self-talk into Divine petition. Then, rest. The LORD will “never” let you fall.

“At the ninth hour Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me'” (Mark 15:34)

March 11, 2011

This cry was not a mark of failure, but one of prophecy fulfilled and the human condition felt. Jesus said the very words of Psalm 22:1 prophesied for Him. He who knew no sin became sin for us. He suffered separation so that we might be brought near to God.