How God Blesses Us

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Wednesday, January 7, 2009
Devotions: Ps 103, 114, 115; Isa 52:3-6; Rev 2:1-7; Jn 2:1-11

Let all that is in me bless the Lord! I will not forget all His benefits—He forgives my sins, He heals my diseases; He has redeemed my life; He crowns me with steadfast love and faithfulness. His mercy endures forever. He satisfies me with wonders and renews my youth eternally. He works vindication and justice for all the oppressed. He revealed His ways and His thoughts to Moses; He acted on behalf of the children of Israel. YHWH is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. He will not always chide or be angry. He does not requite us as our sins deserve. His love towers as the heavens above the earth; He removes our sins as far from us as east is from west. He pities and cares for us as our Father, and He Who made us remembers that we are dust. We are mortal, passing like the wildflowers in the wind—but God’s eternal love for us keeps us. Let us keep His covenant and remember to obey His commands. Let all that lives praise our God—just as my soul will do! He brought Israel out of Egyptian bondage into the holy land—through the sea, through the wilderness. Let all the earth tremble before the Master. Lord, glorify Your name among us. And let us testify: our God is the God of heaven and earth; He is sovereign and free. The idols of others are silver and gold, but have no life in themselves. Humans become like the gods they worship—so let us trust in the true and living Lord, our Help and Shield. May YHWH give us increase, and our children! Will will bless and praise the Lord always. We were sold and redeemed under God’s free will; we must recognize His name and follow I Am.

John writes what Jesus speaks to the church in Ephesus: ‘I know your works—your toil and patient endurance. You cannot bear evil and test those who claim divine authority but have none. You persevere for My name’s sake. And I know your faults: you have abandoned your first love—so repent and get back to the way you behaved when you first believed. Continue to hate the work of the Nicolaitans—I hate it, too: religious licentiousness. To those who overcome, I grant the fruit of the Tree of Life in God’s paradise.’

At a marriage in Cana of Galilee, Jesus first revealed Himself. His mother was also at the wedding, and when the wine gave out, she told Him, ‘They have no wine.’ At first Jesus protested: ‘Dear woman, what’s this to do with Me? My hour hasn’t come yet.’ But she said to the servants, ‘Do what He tells you.’ And Jesus had them set up six large stone jars filled with water. He directed that they draw some of the liquid and take it to the wedding steward. The steward tasked it—now wine—and told the bridegroom, ‘Usually, people serve the best wine first, and the lower grades after everyone is buzzed—but you have kept the best wine till now.’ This is the first ‘mighty act’ John reports to validate Jesus as Messiah—He manifested his glory and His disciples put their faith in Him.