Look To The Lord - Daily Devotional July 1st, 2010

Bible Reading - Joshua 3, Psalm 126-128, Isaiah 63, Matthew 11

We apologize as this devotional was suppose to go with yesterdays Bible Reading. It is really good however so enjoy.

Look To The Lord

Since my husband passed away a year ago I have had to look to the Lord more and more to be my support and guide. One day as I was praying and singing to the Lord, I had a strong desire for my father. He has been gone for 34 years and I don’t often think about him. But on that day it just felt like I needed the protection and comfort of my father; someone I could just go to without explanation of why. My Dad was a very resourceful man and could do just about anything. Perhaps that is why I felt that strong desire.

Psalm 123 brings this kind of picture to my mind; someone who needs to feel protected and that someone is in charge; the slave and the maidservant. The comparison is made for how we are to look to the Lord, especially in a time of vulnerability. Psalm 124 continues the thought of God’s protection and help. “Our help is in the name of the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.” (Verse 8). Notice where our help comes from. The Maker of heaven and earth!! Someone who is powerful enough to make heaven and earth is surely able to help me in my time of need and be wise enough to give me what I need just when I need it. Not when I think I need it!! (We don’t often like that part. We want what we want when we want it!!)

In Psalm 125 the Lord’s protection and care for his people is illustrated by the comparison of the mountains that surround Jerusalem. “So the Lord surrounds his people both now and forevermore.” I like the thought of the Lord surrounding me on all sides. That covers all vulnerability.

When the spies were sent to scope out Jericho (Joshua 2) they ended up in the house of Rahab, a prostitute. She had heard how the Lord had dried up the sea so Israel could cross on dry land. She had heard how Israel had completely destroyed several of the kings. Rahab attributed their success to God. “For the Lord you God is God in heaven above and earth below.” She became a believer!! She asked the spies to spare her and her family when they returned to overthrow Jericho. The spies told her that anyone who was in her house would be spared, but if they wandered out into the streets they would not be responsible. She was to tie a scarlet cord in her window and when they saw that scarlet cord they would spare her house and all that were in it. Rahab lost no time putting that scarlet cord in her window. She put it there as soon as they left (verse 21) even though Israel would not be back to attack the city for a number of days.

Our protection from the Lord comes from being in the household of God and we are placed there by the blood of Jesus, represented by that scarlet cord. Just as everyone had to be in Rahab’s house in order to be spared, we have to be in the household of God in order to come under his protection and salvation.

One time when Jesus was speaking with his disciples about those who had turned away from him he asked them if they would leave too. Peter answered, “Lord to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We believe and know that you are the Holy One of God.” John 6:68-69. There is no other source of protection and care like the Lord has for his people.

Look to the Lord. He is your source of protection, provision and strength.

Tomorrows Bible Reading - Joshua 4, Psalm 129 - 131, Isaiah 64, Matthew 12

God is good all the time,

Naomi Brinkman