Relax and Trust God

New Guest: Like this one, most posts are devotional; those related to CAR BIZ can be found by searching for that label.

Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Devotions: Ps 72, 119:73-96; Isa 54:1-10; Gal 4:21-31; Mk 8:11-26

May the Lord Jesus judge Your people with righteousness, God! May he defend the poor, and be like rain falling on thirsty ground. In His days, may righteousness flourish and peace abound. May His foes bow to Him, and His enemies perish. Long may He live; and may prayer be made for Him continually. Prosper Your people, great Lord. Blessed be Your glorious name forever. Amen!

Lord, You have made me; give me understanding to learn and obey Your commands. I know Your judgments are right; comfort me with Your steadfast love, and grow me in Christlikeness. I long for Your comfort and assurance. All Your ways are sure and trustworthy; spare me to do Your will, O Lord. I will not forget Your precepts; they are exceedingly broad and lasting!

Relax! Spread out! Trust that God will prosper His own—no reason for fear or anxiety or bitterness. Leave shame behind; we are blessed. Our Maker is also our Sustainer, the Husband of our hearts. YHWH Sabaoth is His name, Lord of all the universe! He comes with great compassion to love us. His steadfast love and covenant of peace will abide with us forever.

We are children of freedom, sons and daughters of the new covenant, made and kept through Jesus the Messiah. We are free, children of promise, beloved and chosen by God!

The Pharisees pestered Jesus, constantly demanding signs and affirmations—which He refused to provide. As He traveled with His disciples, He counseled them against ‘the leaven of the Pharisees and of Herod.’ Jesus referred to the self-serving attitude of these adversaries. But the disciples misunderstood, thinking Jesus was speaking about literal bread. He reminded them of the two times He had fed great multitudes with a meager supply of bread and fish; and He urged them to think about these matters and come to a new understanding—new eyes, new ears, new attitude. Trust God, and respond faithfully to His gifts and challenges.