Month: February 2024

“Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will depart. The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away; may the name of the LORD be praised.”
Job 1:21

Earthly Blessings

Daily Devotion – February 29, 2024

Devotion based on Job 1:21


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Have you ever taken a toy away from a toddler? How did he react? There were likely screams and tantrums and tears. He likely held on as tight as he could to whatever toy you were trying to take away.

What happens when God takes things away from us? Whether it is a family member or friend, a job or client, a vehicle or a house; how do we react when blessings are taken from us? Like the toddler, we perhaps can be too attached to the things of this world. We often have a sense of entitlement, as if we deserve everything we want from God. In fact, the world tells us to value all of these things more than God. Instead of rejoicing in the blessings we had for a time, we often angrily accuse God when those blessings are gone.

Job suggests a better way. In this verse, Job demonstrates contentment for the situation he is in and a thankfulness for God allowing him to have those blessings for as long as he did. His statement demonstrates peace in a very trying time.

Where does such peace come from? It can only come from knowing Jesus. Jesus brings a peace that nothing else in this world can give. His life and death in our place and his glorious resurrection have assured us that we are forgiven and on the way to heaven. Jesus has already given us the greatest gift we could ever have: eternal life in heaven. That is a gift that cannot be taken away!

In addition to giving Jesus to us, God also gives us many earthly blessings to enjoy. Rejoice in those blessings as long as you have them, and when they are gone, find peace in knowing that heaven is yours. God knows what is best for us, and one day, he will take all believers to heaven, where we will be reunited to live forever in true peace.

Prayer:
Dear Jesus, thank you for the gift of heaven. Bring peace to my heart and lead me to be grateful for my earthly blessings. Amen.

At this, Job got up and tore his robe and shaved his head. Then he fell to the ground in worship.
Job 1:20

Hardships

Daily Devotion – February 28, 2024

Devotion based on Job 1:20


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When hardship hits, it is easy to wallow in sadness and self-pity. We imagine that things cannot get better, and we cannot imagine how we can go on. We perhaps slide into despair and cannot get out of our funk.

Could any of us have blamed Job if this was his response to the horrible tragedies that had struck his life? As understandable as that would have been, Job went in a different direction. He worshiped his God. Yes, he felt grief. But his was a godly grief. He certainly was hurting, but rather than collapse inward on himself and his grief, he turned outward to the One who could ease his pain. Grief and faith are not mutually exclusive. In his grief, Job trusted in the One who gives all good things.

Why is God so worthy of trust in moments like these? Because God has been there and done that. Jesus suffered more than we could ever imagine. Yet, he did not despair. He did not wallow in self-pity or sadness. Rather, he trusted in God’s plan and went on to die in our place on the cross. Jesus has won for us forgiveness and eternal life in heaven. You are his child!

No matter what challenges or hardships you face in life, remember that you are a forgiven child of God. No one can take that away from you. When hardship hits, do not fall inward and wallow in sorrow and self-pity. Instead, turn to God, who has given you every reason to look to him. Worship him who saved you from sin. You are his, now and forever!

Prayer:
Dear Lord, thank you for giving me the gifts of forgiveness and eternal life. Lead me to worship you in both good times and bad. Amen.

“When suddenly a mighty wind swept in from the desert and struck the four corners of the house. It collapsed on them and they are dead, and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you!”
Job 1:19

Hardships

Daily Devotion – February 27, 2024

Devotion based on Job 1:19


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It has been said that Job experienced the worst single day of anyone in history. Very few can say they experienced anything as tragic as he did on that day. Family. Wealth. Possessions. All gone in a flash. Who could compare their tragedy to his?

Has anyone tried to comfort you that way? Maybe you were going through something terrible, and the well-meaning friend said, ‘Well, at least you aren’t Job.’ Or ‘It could be worse; did you hear about what happened to so-and-so?’ When tragedy comes into our lives or the lives of others, we tend to focus on the size and severity of the event, as if to suggest that the magnitude of the event compared to others should make us feel better.

But that doesn’t work. Does it? Such ways of thinking do little to help the hurt we are feeling. In fact, comparing our hurt to others might leave us feeling unimportant or unloved. It is important for us to realize that it is not about the size of the hurt but the purpose of it. One of the things we learn from Job is that hardship is an opportunity for us to put our trust in God and lean on him.

God is not a stranger to hurt. He watched from heaven as his one and only Son died on a cross for sins that he did not commit. The Father stood by and sacrificed his perfect Son for a world full of sinners. Jesus suffered and died, and that hurt the Father more than we will ever know. But there was a purpose in that hurt. The purpose was for you and I and the whole world to have sins forgiven, to be saved, and given the gift of heaven. God allowed himself to go through that hurt so that we could have eternity in heaven, where we will never be hurt again.

Prayer:
Dear Jesus, when hardship hurts, help me to look to you and to find peace. Help me to focus my eyes on eternal life in heaven. Amen.

One day when Job’s sons and daughters were feasting and drinking wine at the oldest brother’s house, a messenger came to Job and said, “The oxen were plowing and the donkeys were grazing nearby, and the Sabeans attacked and made off with them. They put the servants to the sword, and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you!”
Job 1:13-15

Be Ready

Daily Devotion – February 26, 2024

Devotion based on Job 1:13-15


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I would imagine that Job never forgot where he was and what he was doing when he received the terrible news that his flocks, herds, and workers were completely wiped out. And how could he forget the next moment when he heard that all of his children and their wives were lost in a single tragic event? It was likely just another day in his life. A day full of routine and daily tasks.

So often, we are not prepared for tragedy. As a result, we are shocked when it comes. We get upset. We fret. We jump into panic mode and wonder why this is happening.

Job wasn’t aware that he was suffering for his faith. That was the root cause of his pain. Satan wanted to attack Job and make him lose his faith. To accomplish this, the devil went after what Job loved most in this world. The Bible describes Satan as a roaring lion always on the prowl, looking for ways to destroy our faith. That is his nature. He attacks. We need to expect it and be ready for it.

And we can take heart because we have One on our side who has already defeated Satan. Our Savior, Jesus, by going to the cross and rising from the grave, defeated the devil, and has given us the victory. Through Jesus, we have eternal life. In Jesus, the devil cannot harm us. And one day, suddenly, Jesus will return and take us home to heaven. We also need to be ready for that day. Every day, even in days of hardship, keep your eyes on heaven and know that the victory is yours in Jesus.

Prayer:
Dear Lord Jesus, thank you for defeating Satan once and for all. When he attacks, lead me to trust in you and give me strength to endure my earthly trials, always looking forward to the day when you will take me home. Amen.

Hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.
Romans 5:5

Certain Hope

Daily Devotion – February 25, 2024

Devotion based on Romans 5:5


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“I hope we have decent weather for our trip this weekend.” “I hope the wait at the restaurant isn’t too long tonight.” “I hope I get a raise this year.” “I hope the test results come back negative.”

There are many things we hope for in our lives. Sometimes, our hopes and dreams are realized. When they aren’t, disappointment, ranging from mild to heart-wrenching, is the result.

We have become accustomed to our plans giving way to disappointment. We are all too familiar with the fact that things don’t always turn out the way that we hope they will. So the gift of hope that does not disappoint us sounds pretty wonderful.

That’s the gift God gives—hope that never disappoints. It’s a hope better described with the word certainty.

“I hope God still loves me after what I have done.” “I hope God is in control because I sure am not.” “I hope to go to heaven when I die.”

These “hopes” will not end in disappointment. There is no uncertainty. They are guaranteed by God’s love.

The amazing love that sent his Son to be born into our world, the sacrificial love that sent him to the cross to be punished for all sins—this love guarantees that your hope is certain. You have forgiveness! You have life! You have God’s love! Through the faith that the Holy Spirit has worked in your heart, you know it to be true.

In a world filled with disappointment, it is wonderful to know that we have a God who is faithful. It is comforting to know we have been given the gift of sure and certain hope.

Prayer:
Gracious Lord, you know all my hopes and dreams that have resulted in disappointment and heartbreak. Send me your Holy Spirit to comfort my heart and give me joy in the certain hope that comes from you. Amen.

If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?
Romans 8:31,32

Who Can Be Against Us

Daily Devotion – February 24, 2024

Devotion based on Romans 8:31,32


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One of my favorite television shows of all time is Cheers. It was produced in the 1980s and 90s, but you can still watch reruns of it today. The setting for this comedy was a pub in Boston. My favorite character on Cheers was a man named Norm. Norm’s funny lines have become known as “Normisms.”

In one episode, Norm walks into the pub, and he is obviously having a really bad day. When he is asked how he is doing, he waves his hand in disgust and quips, “It’s a dog-eat-dog world, and I am wearing milk bone underwear.”

The truth is, we can all relate to Norm, can’t we? Some days, it seems like our lives are dog-eat-dog, and we are wearing milk bone underwear.

We might wonder, “God if you are loving, why do bad things happen to me? Are you out to get me? Are you punishing me for something I have done?”

My friend, God isn’t out to get you. Don’t think he is throwing darts at you from heaven. God is for you one hundred percent! He gave his Son for you and laid him in a manger on that first Christmas. He had his Son nailed to the cross on Good Friday so that every single one of your sins might be fully paid for by his holy, precious blood! You are forgiven—completely and fully.

Because God is for you, he won’t ever let you down. He will lead you through this dog-eat-dog world. Nothing can separate you from his love. He will provide strength to handle every trial and challenge. Don’t be afraid.

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, when I face trials and tribulations in this life, comfort me with the reminder that with you on my side, nothing can truly harm me. Amen.

For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 8:38,39

Jesus’ Love Conquers All

Daily Devotion – February 23, 2024

Devotion based on Romans 8:38,39


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“Omnia vincit amor.” These words were penned by the ancient Latin poet Virgil. We know them in English as “love conquers all.” The only problem with Virgil’s conclusion is that he was speaking of a self-centered love, where sinful people finally choose the person or thing most irresistible to their sensuous desires. In other words, whatever brings me the greatest pleasure is the thing I will choose; my “love” for it “conquers” all other options. I get what I want the most.

Is that the kind of love Jesus has for us? Does he choose that which brings him the most pleasure? No, just the opposite. Earlier in his letter to the Romans, the apostle Paul explained that “God demonstrates his own love for us in this: while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8). In other words, there was nothing in us that was pleasurable to Jesus.

But Jesus loved us and sacrificed his perfect life for our broken lives anyway. He took the world’s sins on his own shoulders and carried them to the cross, washing them away forever. More than that, he replaced our sins with his perfection.

Why would Jesus do that? Simple. Because he loved us. But his love wasn’t about bringing pleasure to himself; it was about giving salvation to us by his sacrifice.

But Jesus didn’t just love us in the distant past. He still loves us, and nothing else gets in the way of his love. As the apostle Paul explained, “I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

There’s no other love like it. Jesus’ love conquers all.

Prayer:
Jesus, thank you for loving me with a love that conquers all. Amen.