July 27

“…Oh that I had wings like a dove! for then would I fly away, and be at rest” Psalms 55:6

David might have fought like a lion and conquered like an eagle, but there were times in his life where he felt he would prefer to flee from danger like a dove. We all experience times when our response to life’s difficulties is to hide, fly away, somehow get away from any person or circumstance that is afflicting us. This is not a sign of cowardice or even fear necessarily. David had fought bravely and knew how to deal with his enemies and the challenges which life presented him. There are just some times, when we may feel like we do not want to fight, resist, oppose or withstand. We long for quiet, peace, solitude and sufficient distance between us and the condition which affects us. We are directed by God through His word in such times, to turn to Him for strength and for refuge. God will supply the power we need to overcome, and the comfort we need to live above and beyond the reach of those people or situations that would otherwise torment us. Believers find refuge from life’s turmoil and rest from the taxing demands of everyday living, in the arms of God. Prayer in the Holy Spirit, supplies us with the very 'wings' David longed for, and helps us to escape from the taunts and torts of life. This provision is not for the purpose of avoiding or ignoring life’s tough times. Prayer brings relief and reprieve in such times. It recharges us resets our minds, and refuels our resolve, so that we may in faith and with God’s strength face whatever may come!  We have in God, both the power to battle valiantly in the fight of faith, and the grace to restore our hearts, soothe our spirit and renew our strength.

http://www.pentecostalfamilychurch.com.au/devotion

July 16

“Shall vain words have an end?...” Job 16:3

Job responds to his miserable comforters and challenges their arguments. ‘Vain words’ here literally means words of wind! We might say, ‘just a lot of hot air’, words which hold no true value, or help in any way, which are idle and pass by us like the wind. Exchanging casual conversation in friendship and fun, is enjoyable can be beneficial, and not to be ignored, but there are serious times, times of need, grief or pain, when offhanded, unthoghtful or inappropriate words, can do much harm to individuals and relationships. We have all had someone who has attempted to bestow upon us such inept expressions, and perhaps at some stage we too have been guilty of the same incompetence. What Job was asking is essentially a question we should all answer. It seems as long as humanity exists, frail and faulty in its outlook and perception, there are going to be vain, empty words spoken and thrown about like dead leaves in the wind. Words, when lacking in godly or edifying purpose, may not only be just irrelevant and confusing, but may also cut and damage the heart and soul. The bible often describes the beauty and preciousness of words spoken in wisdom, in context and in the right time. Those words are worth having, they give life; they assist us on the journey, provide true comfort and support in trials and afflictions. We are encouraged to carefully ‘weigh up’ our words, and avoid idle talk, knowing that we will give account for every word we speak. It is hard to say what exactly motivates us to speak empty words. Job asked that question too. What provoked his ‘friends’ to be so vocal and so opinionated about their own views and feelings, at a time when all he wanted was possibly just some silent companionship? We can learn from this event, and apply the biblical exhortation, that there is a time to speak (and when we do, it should be salient and wise) and a time to be silent. When in pain and sorrow, a friend is least likely to appreciate our observations, reminders or philosophies about what they did to land themselves in such straits! There may be a time for that conversation, but not when they are afflicted. Genuine love is sensitive about the other person and their predicament, and is able to weep with those who weep. Perhaps we fall into the trap of saying something, anything, however ‘vain’, simply because we do not wish to appear like we have nothing to say. The truth is that in some circumstances, it is not so much the sound of our voice, but the presence of our heart, that is required. There are also occasions when we may feel that our talking is necessary communication, but In fact unless what is said is relevant, wise and of assistance, it may actually hinder any true exchange and destroy dialogue. Let us be wise and pertinent in all we say, careful and godly in the advice we offer, and mindful that speaking fewer words which say a great deal, is always better than a lot of talk which is empty, inappropriate or inconsiderate.

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July 11

“…I do the more cheerfully answer for myself:” Acts 24:10

Paul finds himself yet again before the authorities where he might give an account of his faith and standing, and be a witness for Jesus, even as the Lord had foretold regarding Paul’s calling and ministry. The apostle was charged with sedition against the government by his enemies and opponents to the gospel. He was given audience to speak and present his case before Felix. Paul always glad to answer for his faith, was even more cheerful about it this time! The reason was that governor Felix had been consul to Judea for quite some time, and as such he knew the ways of the Jews first hand. He was aware of their infighting and perjuries. He was accustomed to being cautious, when making judgments, and not to quickly condemn anyone the Jews brought before him with accusations. Being a knowledgeable and respected governor, he would also have had a ‘finger on the pulse’ of events as they were taking place in his jurisdiction. This meant that if Paul had truly been a subversive individual, Felix would have heard about him, and most likely aware of his activities – this of course was not the case. Paul was confident both in the Lord and the favourable situation God had allowed with Felix, in spite of him suffering again, unjust and unwarranted allegations. We may learn from Paul and his joyful disposition, even when under question or afflicted. Clearly the righteous are not precluded from afflictions and trials, neither are they beyond unjustified or undeserved denunciations and contentions. In fact the testimony of scripture and life’s experience, concur in showing that all too often it is the virtuous and upright person that seems to attract the criticisms and attacks of a world steeped in sin and degradation. As faithful believers we must remain true to God and patient in afflictions. We must pray for God’s intervention and trust that as the Bible teaches us in Romans 8:28, “… all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” God’s assurance to us is not that we will be spared suffering, but that with each difficulty and trial, He will bring relief, make a way, open a door or alleviate the burden to whatever degree it befits His will. In all aspects of life then, we have hope, strength and purpose, while we remain in God’s hands!

http://www.pentecostalfamilychurch.com.au/devotion

June 26

“After this opened Job his mouth, and cursed his day.” Job 3:1

Much has been written on Job, his patience and faithfulness in his relationship with God. This verse is a clear reminder that even men who have grown in relative perfection and in such graces of God as patience, compassion and generosity, are yet human and capable, under circumstances of pressure, pain and affliction, to open their mouths and utter things which may be unwise, negative or unedifying! This is not to say that if a believer expresses sorrow, disappointment or another negative feeling, he is automatically sinning. Sin can take hold however, if we do not deal with the negative emotions correctly, give place to them, and become controlled by them. Instead we should yield them to God and trust Him for help, solutions and strength to overcome. Job had by this time endured seven days of mourning after the loss of all his family, possessions and health, without apparent relief to his condition, and he does something here, which was not unusual among the people of his time, when they were faced with intense distress and sorrow – he curses the day he was born. Although this may be considered a slip in his spiritual compass, let us note a few things which may be explanatory. Firstly, Job did not ‘curse’ God as the devil had falsely predicted, and his wife had so callously incited, nor did he curse anyone else or even himself as creatures of God. In fact he did not even curse the present condition and suffering he found himself in. Secondly, it is questionable that man can of his own accord, actually ‘curse’ anything, since such power lies outside his ability, and is therefore merely reflective of an attitude or desire to do so, if only it were possible. Thirdly, he turned his despair and ill will, towards something that could not be changed nor was in any way in his control, making his ‘cursing’, a mere token expression of his inner despair, his discomfort and disconsolate situation. Lastly, later in the narrative of his life, we find Job repenting of anything he may have spoken unwisely and without due regard toward God. He was conscious that even this moment of negative expression from his lips, should have been avoided. Such cursing isn’t necessarily saying any bad word or oath, but a wishing that the event, in this case his birth, had never taken place. Jeremiah stated something similar (Jer 20:14-18) when he was in distress over Israel rejecting God’s word and torturing God’s prophets. The reasoning behind this expression of negative emotion is that the present suffering and distress, which is so painful and discomforting, would not have taken place if the individual had not been born; we would relate it to the expression - ‘sorry you were ever born’. So whilst it is an expression of suffering humanity, it is nevertheless inappropriate for the believer to make such a statement, because it reflects a lack of acceptance that God is in control of all things. If we truly know and believe that Yahwah is Omniscient, then not only the time and event of our birth, but all the details of every aspect of our human lives are known to Him, and ultimately in His control. True faith, in spite of our despairing humanity, would call and demand that we remember this fact. It would encourage us to believe that somehow God’s mind, His wisdom and plan is perfect and higher than what we can comprehend in our despair, appropriate to us by His allowance, and that we should take nothing in our hands and away from His, even if only in token complaint or misplaced desire, born out of our human  affliction. This high standard of trust and reliance upon God is a goal of all true believers, and it is only from God that we can draw the strength to perform our lives in this manner and remain pleasing to the Lord. 

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June 17

“Unto thee will I cry, O LORD my rock…” Psalms 28:1

David had been in the unique and rather strange circumstance of life, of being anointed to be the next king of Israel, by the prophet of the Lord, and yet sought after as an evil doer, and pursued to be killed, by the present king! Twice he was in a position to rid himself of Saul and the threat which weighed heavily on his life, and twice he turned down the opportunity and temptation to take things into his own hands, choosing rather to leave it in God’s hands and timing. There must have been times like this one described in our text, when he felt totally at odds with his life’s situation, and could not but to cry out to the Lord in distress. Recognising and admitting that we are struggling sometimes, is not a bad thing, provided that like David we don’t wallow in the mire and self-pity our condition, but rather go with our distress and need, to the One who can help us and lift us up out of the pit we feel we are in! In other words it is when we concentrate on the problem and not the solution that we can do damage, and potentially lose ground in our walk and progress with God. This does not mean merely ignoring the problem or thinking positive thoughts, but dealing with the issue through One who has power greater than our own! Everybody experiences low times in life, and it is human to feel the sting and pressures of the afflictions we face. The all-important difference is our willingness and desire to go to the Rock! Jesus is the Rock upon which our salvation is founded. He is the basis of our faith and victory, and the One who has overcome sin and the world, and gives us power to overcome any and all of the difficulties which face us. Our crying out in prayer and supplication to the Fountain of Life, the Source of all Good, the Rock and Strength of our souls, will achieve much, when done in faith and fervently. God will supply the answer to our question, the solution to our problem, the relief to our distress. At times He does so by somehow removing the impediment or difficulty from our lives, for He has the power to do all things. We rejoice over the victory He gives in these situations and feel delivered and lifted. If the irritant, or problem, or affliction in our life is meant to teach us some valuable lesson, God may not remove it, but utilise it to build our faith, strengthen our determination, steel our resolve and impart to us priceless traits of character such as patience, persistence, humility and stability. During these times we may not feel the ‘burden lift’ per se, but we will register His calm and confident strength, which makes us able to carry the burden victoriously and continue regardless, on our journey towards heaven. We serve a God of power, love and wisdom, and must trust that He knows what is best for us in every situation. In faith praying, trusting and leaning on Him we can make it, and are more than overcomers through Christ Jesus our Lord!

http://www.pentecostalfamilychurch.com.au/devotion

June 8

“In thee, O LORD, do I put my trust…” Psalms 31:1

David is afflicted, facing enemies and feeling the sting of afflicton. He doesn’t begin his prayer and call to God with his pressing needs, but starts by asserting his faith and firm confidence in Yahwah. In this time of distress he does not rely on the trust he has placed in God in the past, or on how he may lean on the Lord in the future. It is in the present, during and because of the current anguish, that he focuses his thoughts and heart of faith to God. Often we are guilty of letting our problems get in the way of our trust in the Lord. Right at the time when we should lean on Him and trust Him the most, we turn from faith in God to considering and pitying self. Like Peter who had just walked on water, having focused on the boisterous waves of our distress, and taken our eyes off the Lord, we sink! The billows of our difficulty engulf us and we flounder, wondering how we can ever survive! Putting our trust in God, should be more than just a passing, fleeting moment of reliance. It must become for the believer the default conduct, the ‘normal’ way of life. Whether the sun is shining in our life, or we are being tossed by the fiercest of weather, our staying power in found in the Lord. It is faith that anchors us in Him and keeps us in the darkest times of life. This may well be the reason why God allows us to go through the tough times we all face. It is easy to claim a reliance on God when things are smooth and everything is going our way. But when the going gets rough, the finances lack, the problems at home and work are multiplying, health has deteriorated, or we are facing opposition and our little world is being tossed, we have to learn to hold on to the One who can see us through! In His great love, our Father knows just how to train us and teach us to trust Him! Learning to lean on Him is the all-important skill of the Christian walk. It is only when we are able and willing to genuinely place our trust and confidence in Jesus that we find the fulfilment, peace, contentment and victory we desire in all areas of life!

http://www.pentecostalfamilychurch.com.au/devotion

Feb 26

“The LORD hear thee in the day of trouble…” Psalms 20:1

It is reassuring to know we have audience with the Almighty God. He is interested in our troubles and does not avert His attention from us when we suffer. He is compassionate and capable. The reality and sense of this ever-ready Ear we can speak to, and the blessing and comfort of knowing He not only listens intently, but also responds and directs, is a great joy and strength to the believer, whose relationship is intimate with the Lord. Our fellow humans are not always present, interested or concerned about our troubles, but Jesus always cares, is present and nothing is too difficult or burdensome for Him to hear and bear with us. In fact we are taught by the scriptures that He is fully qualified to understand every difficulty and trauma we may experience, and much more than we will ever have personal knowledge of! He, in His humanity was tempted, tested and tried in every point and through Calvary experienced every possible human condition and detriment! Jesus has the heart to listen to our distresses and calls of help, can be touched by the feeling of our afflictions and infirmities. He understands our cares, and is willing to help us lift our load, and carry our burden. The line to heaven is never engaged, does not require appointment, is never broken or under repairs. No money is required to call, and there are no automated messages on the other end! Each of us have all the equipment we need to call on the LORD! Let us faithfully call on Yahwah, every day and more so in the day of trouble, for He will faithfully hear us!

http://www.pentecostalfamilychurch.com.au/devotion

Feb 9

“I would seek unto God, and unto God would I commit my cause:” Job 5:8 

It seems always easier to give advice when we may not have experienced, or are not personally in the situation we may be addressing. Eliphaz - one Job’s ‘comforters’, makes a point here however, which we may all benefit from. The reasoning supporting his statement, is that if we believe that all things (including our afflictions), are ultimately in the merciful hand of the Divine Potentate, the Lord Yahwah, the Almighty One - then complaint, anger, foolish accusations or attributing blame to others for our condition or situation, is not going to help resolve matters, improve our state or lift our smitten morale. In fact even in attempting to gain a basic understanding or at least become reconciled to some degree, with the troubles and sorrows which life inevitably brings to us all, we will be better served if in humility and openness of heart, we seek God and commit our cause to Him! What God does and how He does it, belongs to Him alone and is the privilege and right of His Supreme Deity. This is an essential aspect of what it means for us to be His servants, and to claim Him as our Lord and God! If we rebel or cannot accept His Lordship at every level, and in all circumstances of life, even those we cannot grasp or comprehend, then the veracity and quality of our faith and submission to the One we call our God, must be audited. As we “wait on Lord”, patiently and faithfully accepting His will and direction in our lives, we will find the strength and resolve through Him, to be delivered from, or overcome, the most difficult of life’s challenges. When it is all said and done - only Jesus can help us over those afflictions and setbacks of life for which we have little or no explanation, as in Job’s case! It is with Him then, we should cast our vote of trust and confidence; searching in prayer for His wisdom and understanding, strength and ability, as we constantly, willingly and thankfully deposit our burden and cause at His feet.  

http://www.pentecostalfamilychurch.com.au/devotion