Devotions

Storms

And he said to them, “Why are you afraid, O you of little faith?” Then he rose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm. Matthew 8:26

We can avoid storms in our lives about as often as we can divert weather patterns over our city. Go stand outside and try. The reality is you will always face times of uncertainty. In the landscape of your life, you will enjoy a few blue-sky days, but mostly there will always be a dark cloud gathering somewhere on the horizon of your life, reminding you of the daily need to trust God with tomorrow. You can’t set your hope on the illusion that somehow you’re going to sort everything out one day. There will always be enough to keep you on your knees. And just about the time you think, I don’t really need to pray that much this week-wham. Face it; on this side of eternity, there will never be a day when you won’t need to trust the God who loves you.

My future and yours will be ravaged by the waves until we embrace the fact that God allows these storms for our good. He won’t let us drown. Can you imagine how it would have wrecked the Gospels if it went down like this: There was this storm and Jesus was asleep and four of the disciples drowned? Of course not! He would not let them--nor will He let you--drown.

But back in the moment, the disciples were wild with fear. Even the professional fishermen knew things were out of control. In the original language the disciples said just this: “Lord, save!”

Notice Jesus’ response to them: “Why are you afraid, O you of little faith?” (Matthew 8:26). Bible scholars debate whether or not that was a rebuke. Matthew was clearly fond of reporting how many times Jesus said it: First, here in Matthew 8:26, when they feared the storm; then in Matthew 14:31, when Peter took his eyes off the Lord and began to sink; again in Matthew 16:8, when they forgot about the miracle of multiplying bread; and again in Matthew 17:20, when they failed to heal the demon possessed boy. “O you of little faith!”-Jesus said it to them a lot.

In my mind’s eye, I see Him smiling when He says it here in the storm. I think it’s tender, like He’s saying, “You don’t get it yet, do you?” He’s not mad at them, but sad that they didn’t think He could take care of them.

Makes you wonder how often He says “O you of little faith!” to us.

EATING GOOD THINGS

"Ho! Everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat. Yes, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. Why do you spend money for what is not bread, and your wages for what does not satisfy? Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good, and let your soul delight itself in abundance." (Isaiah 55:1-2)

The call went out loud and clear: "Ho!" The prophet speaks to all that can hear. This is an important announcement, and is therefore prefaced with this unique call. It is as if God – the Great One who spread out the universe – bends down to plead with us, "Please listen to Me!" If God goes to such trouble to get our attention, we should give it to Him.

This is the content of His invitation: "Everyone who thirsts, come to the waters." It is an invitation to everyone - but everyone who thirsts. Only those who thirst will come to the waters. If we aren't thirsty for what God can give us, then we will never come to His waters. It may very well be that Jesus had this passage from Isaiah in mind when He cried out, "If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink." (John 7:37)

Isaiah continued: "You who have no money, come, buy, and eat." Those who do thirst, and answer the LORD's invitation, don't need to bring money. Their money won't really do them any good.
They can simply bring their trust and faith and receive what God has to give them.

The good news is that it is all free: Water . . . wine . . . milk – everything that sustains us in our life with God is freely given. It isn't that the entrance into the Christian life is free, and then we must be charged to advance in the Christian life. It's all free; our growth is just as much a gift of grace as our salvation. It isn't as if God gives you the water to drink for free, and then makes you pay for the wine or the milk. It is all a gift from His goodness.

Because of this free gift, Isaiah challenges us: "Why do you spend money for what is not bread, and your wages for what does not satisfy?" In this invitation through the prophet, God asked His people to ask themselves - "Why do I spend money for what can't satisfy?" This is a remarkably relevant question, in light of all the things we can pour our time and money and effort into - things which will never satisfy they way god Himself can satisfy.

So quite logically, God adds these words: "Listen diligently to Me, and eat what is good, and let your soul delight itself in abundance." The invitation is clear. The offer is made, the provision is made, and everything is available - but we must still do some things.

First, we must "listen diligently." The satisfaction God promises doesn't come to those who don't listen, and listen diligently. It takes time, attention, and effort to listen diligently, and some aren't willing do this.

Second, we must "eat what is good." This requires some discernment. We must choose what is good, and then eat that.
Many just simply eat whatever spiritual meal is set before them, without taking care to see that it is good.

Third, we must "let your soul delight itself in abundance." Even when we listen, even when we eat what is good, we still must let our soul delight itself in abundance. You can sit down at a great spiritual meal, but by your stubborn or bad attitude, simply not "let your soul delight itself in abundance."

Understanding it all, we can simply say: Enjoy the meal.

By David Guzik

Hold On To His Promises

His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature. 2 Peter 1:3-4

What you believe about God is the most important thing about you. It shapes your life. It determines how you deal with good and hard circumstances that come your way and how much victory or defeat you will know.

An important truth about God you need to treasure in your heart is that He is promiser and it’s His nature to fulfill those promises. You can’t read Scripture very long without seeing that revealed through history:

He promised Noah that He would never again destroy the world by a flood (Genesis 9).
He promised a plague and enumerable people as descendents to Abraham (Genesis 12).
He promises to deliver the people of Israel from slavery in Egypt (Exodus 6).
And all that’s just getting started.

God’s promises are the assurances He gives to His people so we can walk by faith while we wait for Him to work.

How we relate to God is determined by what we do with His promises. Do you believe them? Have you learned that when you walk by sight you never win? But when you walk by faith, and believe there will be a day when He will fulfill them, He will never disappoint you. God sees you in this situation you face today. He knows how hard it is to walk by faith. He knows our frame and He remembers that we are dust (Psalm 103:14). And He’s not going to leave you wondering what’s going to happen, or uncertain about the future or overcome by fear. He makes promises to you so that you can get through the long nights and the difficult days of waiting. He asks you to hang on to His promises for the long haul.

The hard part of doing that, of course, is the gap between His promise and His fulfillment of that promise. Almost always, His promises are not going to be answered tomorrow or the next day. That’s why He gives us something to hold on to.

And while we wait, God builds our faith. I guarantee you that when you rest in the promises of God, you have a great life. You live more confidently. You believe good things are in store for you. As long as you’re living in doubt and defeat, you’ve got nothing to look forward to. But if you anticipate His blessing, He’s never going to let you down. His reputation is on the line. He’s promised to do some things in your life and when you hold on to what He's promised, you’re going to win in the end.