June 13

“The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations…” 2 Peter 2:9

Although it may not be always clear to us, God has ways of His own to keep and protect those who live a godly and righteous life unto Him. The evidence of scripture shows that the judgments of God are sure and appropriate for the unrighteous. Just as sure however, is the fact and ability Yahwah has to maintain and guard His own people, from the effects of His wrath. The example of Lot and the judgement of Sodom and Gomorrah occasioned this text by the apostle, and underscores the beautiful truth that there are no righteous casualties, no ‘collateral damage’ of believers, in God’s operations! The terminology ‘killed by friendly fire’ refers to the not so friendly event of a soldier being killed by gunfire from the side for which he is fighting. It highlights the reality of how as humans, we are limited in power and prone to errors. This can never happen with God! His power, knowledge and ability are unlimited and He doesn’t make mistakes! Only those whom He deems deserving of His judgment are included and no there are slip-ups with the Lord! Based on their obedience to follow His instructions, God kept Noah and his family from a global flood; Lot and those with him from the fire and brimstone which destroyed the cities about them; the Israelites in Egypt from the plagues He brought all around them on Egypt. He has demonstrated time and again that He is a righteous and just God and ‘knows’ how to protect the godly! It is true that God has also allowed the martyrdom of many righteous and godly saints, but this is always at the hand of some wicked person or another, never by His own doing. While He has the power to stop any hurt to his people or protect them from any power that may attack them, He ‘knows’ and has His ways and reasons for allowing what He does and doing things the way He does them. Our task is not to question God and try to work out His mind and wisdom, or foresee His plans, so much as to walk and live lives, which in His sight may be deemed godly and righteous. By keeping our hearts pure and our conduct holy before the Lord, we stand in the place of obedience and in the best position for deliverance. There is no safer place to be in, than being godly and in the hands of the loving Saviour, and no more terrifying condition to be in, than in sin and at variance with the Almighty and righteous Judge!

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

Apr 24

 “Preserve me, O God: for in thee do I put my trust.” Psalms 16:1

God is refuge and comfort for those who trust in Him. We are not certain whether any specific danger assailed David at the time of this Psalm. The prayer and call for God’s protection however is appropriate at all times for the believer. The man that makes God his shelter recognises the blessing and benefit God has already afforded him through life, and desires for that solid cover to be over him and his continuously. This is what gives rise to the utterance of our hearts and lips, as we appeal to God for that which He has already faithfully supplied. It is a way of saying ‘keep doing Lord, the wonderful work of sheltering me’; or 'keep holding me Lord, in your hands I feel safe'. There is in all of us a need to sense maintained security and ongoing assurance of what we treasure. The enemies abound, whether in a physical or spiritual realm, a true battle for survival is taking place. Insidious forces, we are told in scripture, are at work to defeat us in our progress, stunt our growth and derail us from our purpose, as we serve God. Their ultimate goal, should they have their way, would be our destruction! This alone is cause for being conscious of the need of the Lord’s protection. In fact, the ‘watching’ part of prayer has to do with being awake, alert and aware of the enemy, praying against him and seeking God’s protection of self and others. Added to the ever present spiritual struggle, there are also many physical factors at work, some even unknown to us, which in our overall vulnerable humanity, undermine, lessen and detract, from an already naturally deteriorating physical being. These would no doubt overcome and dissolve us, but for the mercy, love and intervention of God. In truth, we cannot afford to take for granted, even one breath going through our lungs, or one single beat of our heart! Our preservation is God’s intent, but we must remember that it is for His glory and purpose not our own. God knows our motive in asking His fortification. To ask God that He protect us so we can go about doing our own will, desire and task, without regard for His purposes, or in rejection of His values and directions, is not only selfish but also foolish. To lean on ourselves, our own means or the ability of others alone, and have no faith in the Almighty, is also foolishness, we are warned that the ‘arm of flesh will fail us’! As believers then, we belong to Him, and we owe God the trust that befits His power, love and glory. He has reassured us that He will ‘keep’ all who believe in Him and that no matter what challenge or danger may face us, He is able to see us through. It is to the degree that we trust Him and lean on Him that we will mostly see the hand of the Lord in protection, provision and preservation to do and fulfil His will. Let's say it and live it '..O God in thee do I put my trust'!

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

Feb 16

“But the captain of the guard left of the poor of the land to be vinedressers and husbandmen.” 2 Kings 25:12

The captivity of Israel in the hands of foreign nations, was always a result of their sin and disregard for God’s law. Time and again the land was ravaged, the city walls broken down and anything of value taken by the oppressors, who would now rule them. The ancient Assyrians when conquering the land of Israel were motivated by the Lord not to massacre its people, but to take them captive. Occupants of the land with their possessions were relocated to the conqueror’s country to help with local industry, commerce and development. In this we see an evidence of God’s mercy towards His people, in spite of their sins and the need for their punishment. The temple which represented the worship of the True God which the Jews had despised and ignored in favour of false gods, was robbed of all its treasures and valuables, and the city walls which had offered them some protection were thrown down, but nevertheless God maintained His promise to Israel. Instead of being destroyed, the people were kept alive, to one day return to their own land, rebuild and re-instate true worship. A second instance of God’s mercy is seen in the action the king of the Chaldeans authorised towards the poor of the land. These individuals had no personal resources to contribute to their conquerors, and might therefore being considered completely dispensable. Again instead of being exterminated by the foreign ruler, they were left to tend to the fields and crops of the land. Whilst more than likely under tribute to the conquering ruler, these individuals not only escaped with their lives, but were also given opportunity to survive from the harvests of their crops, and maintain a workable state of land, which would otherwise have laid waste. It is clear in all the dealings of God with man, and in particular with His chosen people, that in spite of their failure to remain consistent in their love and worship of Yahwah and obedient to His law, the Lord’s desire toward them was and remains always, one of love, protection and restoration. We truly serve a Great and Loving Saviour and One that is worthy of all our thanks and praise!

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

Jan 26

 “And delivered just Lot…” 2 Peter 2:7

Though many have done injury to the character of Lot and accused him of all sorts of wrong doings from the moment he parted ways with Abraham, God in His Word, distinguishes him as a righteous man. It should be enough for any of us that God is willing to give us a good character reference, even if some, who think they know us, would vilify and defame us. Paul stated in his epistles that we will all stand in judgement, and clearly it is God who will judge, not fallible man. It becomes our task then to be pleasing to God first and foremost in all our doing and obedience, and not to be too much concerned with being man-pleasers. The records God keeps are the correct and just evaluation of our character and life. They cannot be falsified by the tampering or doctoring of man’s perceptions, preferences or even by our own meddling. What is so reassuring in our text is that God knows godliness when He sees it, and that He will deliver the righteous! In the midst of the most severe and comprehensive punishment or tribulation, God is able to keep and protect those who fulfil His righteousness. We serve a just and loving God who is not limited. We can rely on Jesus to defend and guard our heart, mind, body and soul, when we commit all of ourselves to Him.

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

Jan 10

“…Take up the ark of the covenant, and pass over before the people….” Joshua 3:6

Filled with the symbols of God’s provision and protection for His people, but most of all a vehicle of the presence and glory of God, the Ark of the Covenant was in its correct place and its rightful position, when it was borne by the priests to be in front of the people. There, the power of God was most evident and performed the greatest of miracles for His people. Our eyes should ever be set on the presence of the Lord and all He holds in His Word for us. His rightful place in our lives, is not as an ‘optional extra’, or a piece of luggage we drag around ‘just in case’, but as the central feature of our eyes, and heart’s desire. He should be the One at the focus of our thoughts and plans, and should be at all times in view of our spiritual eyes. In Israel it was recognised that the ark leading the people in battle meant protection, power, victory and conquest. We also should know assuredly that seeking first the kingdom of God and His righteousness in everything we do or desire, will bring victory, cause us to overcome and see all the things necessary to our lives, added by the power, provision and compassion of the Lord. We struggle unnecessarily to seek the temporal and the mundane, when true satisfaction, fulfilment and permanency is found in putting Jesus in the right and most prominent place of our heart, mind and soul!

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