We're in His story

New Guest: Like this one, most posts are devotional; those related to CAR BIZ can be found by searching for that title. You might start with 'Welcome,' the first post, dated November 12, 2008, in the archives, where I introduce myself and the blog.

Friday, June 26, 2009
Devotions: Ps 102, 107:1-32; 1 Sam 9:1-14; Acts 7:17-29; Lk 22:31-38

Lord, I cry out to You; hear and answer, I pray. My days pass like smoke; my bones burn like a furnace; my heart is withered and seared like dry grass in the fire’s path; I’m like a vulture in the wilderness, grotesque and lonely. I eat ashes; tears fall into my drink, because my sins separate me from Your fellowship and tender care. You, my God, are enthroned forever, majestic, exalted, feared by all nations, Sovereign over all things. My God hears prayers, even mine. Let the rising generations know: God regards us; He is worthy of our praise. All temporal troubles will pass; we need be concerned only that we forfeit the grace of God! Let the impatient youths hear and learn faith and patience! Let us thank YHWH: He is good, and His steadfast love endures forever. Let His redeemed declare it; He opens a way where there has been no way. Let us thank YHWH for His love and faithfulness, His wondrous works that help us. He guides the lost, he releases the captive and lifts the heads of the discouraged. Let us thank the Lord for His steadfast love. He heals the sin-sick and afflicted. When we repent, He speeds to our rescue. Let us offer Him our thanks and praise, and our very selves to His service and glory. He sustained the tempest-tossed, and watches over the faithful sailing the oceans; He stills storms and delivers the lost. Let us thank the Lord for His steadfast love, His wonderful works that benefit all humankind!

In the tribe of Benjamin and the household of Kish lived his firstborn, Saul, strikingly tall and handsome. The donkeys belonging to Kish were lost, and Kish sent Saul to find them. He took a servant and set forth; they passed through Ephraim and Shalishah and the territory of Benjamin, without success. When they came at last to Zuph, Saul told the servant they should return—the father would by now be more concerned about his son than about his donkeys. The servant suggested that they should first seek counsel from a man of God in Zuph. They settled on a gift to offer the man of God, and sought him. They got directions from young women coming out to draw water, and met Samuel as the prophet was coming out to bless a sacrifice on a local high place.

Stephen’s testimony before the Jewish council continued: God’s people multiplied during their sojourn in Egypt, and another pharaoh, who did not know or appreciate Joseph, dealt craftily with the Israelites, and sought to wipe them out, through the forced infanticide by exposure of Jewish male babies. Moses was born during this crisis, a beautiful child whom his parents hid for three months; finally, when he was cast on the waters of the Nile, he was found, adopted and raised by one of Pharaoh’s daughters. Moses was educated in the Egyptian royal house, and grew strong in word and deed. At age 40, Moses was moved to visit the Israelites; he defended a man being oppressed, striking and killing an Egyptian overseer. The next day, as Moses attempted to settle a dispute between two Israelite men, one rebuked him and referred to Moses’ killing the Egyptian. Realizing his deed was known, Moses fled into exile in Midian, where he eventually became the father of two sons.

During His last Passover (and first Lord’s Supper), Jesus said this: ‘Simon, Simon! Satan has demanded to have you all, to sift you as one sifts wheat. But I have prayed for you individually, Simon: that your faith may not fail, and when you have returned to a godly way, I tell you to strengthen your brothers.’ Peter responded, ‘Lord, I am ready to go with You to prison and to death.’ But Jesus said, ‘I tell you, Peter, that the cock will not crow this very day, until you three times deny that you know Me.’ Then Jesus addressed the whole group: ‘When I sent you out with no purse or bag or sandals, you lacked nothing, did you?’ They agreed. ‘But now,’ He continued, ‘if you have a purse, take it; and sell whatever you must, and get youself a sword. I’m about to experience the fulfillment of the scripture that says, “He was reckoned with the transgressors,” for prophecies concerning Me are always fulfilled.’ The apostles [continuing to major in minors] said, ‘Look, Lord: here are two swords.’ And Jesus answered, ‘It is enough’