For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace. -1 Corinthians 14:33
As I sit and write this on the scheduled day of my right knee replacement, I feel as though my doctor, nurses, and hospital are confused. They are confused because they can’t give an answer as to when I can be back on the schedule and leave me wondering why I will still be in pain until my recovery. Maybe I’m writing this because I do have questions that I cannot answer. But after a minute, a voice tells me to look to the author and finisher of my faith, the Lord Jesus Christ. Then I realize it’s not about me but about Him. Salvation came to me many years ago, and I’m realizing again God has a plan and that it’s to further His kingdom. He has that plan for each of us and only asks we have the faith of a mustard seed.
The pandemic has been confusing to each of us for many reasons. As I entitled this devotion: “Satan is the author of confusion.” Every day I have to ask God for the strength to endure many things, but I’m truly realizing what I was missing most was the fellowship of the saints in worship.
I know we are not being pursued as David was exactly, but in the Psalms, we can read his pleas to God when he felt alone and scared in those caves. We can certainly somewhat identify with his fears and questions as we also go through our trials at this time.
Psalm 22 came to mind as I prepared this devotion, so I’ll leave that for your personal reading.
How am I reacting to my circumstances as opposed to resting in God’s plan for my life?
Recommended Resource
If we’re being honest, personal evangelism is the reverse of easy, and so it becomes a task we avoid. Dever writes to shake us up about this, clearing our heads last of what evangelism involves and motivates our hearts to go to it realistically and responsibly. This a word in season that I believe will impact your desire and ability to share the gospel.
Today's Bible Study Tip
After marking the text, compare various translations of the passage and note the differences. This can help expand your understanding of its meaning and clear up any confusion.
The KJV & NAS attempted to take the underlying Hebrew and Greek words and translate them into the closest corresponding English Words as possible (word for word), while the NIV & NLT attempted to take the original thought that was being presented in Greek and Hebrew and then express that thought in English (thought for thought). Many other translations attempt to meet in the middle of these two methods. Paraphrases such as The Message or The Living Bible can be used to gain a different perspective on the meaning of a verse, but would not recommend either of these being used as primary Bible translation.
God’s Word is truth and it will accomplish His purposes (Isaiah 55:11; 2 Tim 3:16-17; Hebrews 4:12)
Today's Quote:
Our Community with one another consists solely in what Christ has done to both of us. This is true not merely at the beginning, as though in the course of time something else were to be added to our community; it remains so for all the future and to all eternity. I have community with others and I shall continue to have it only through Jesus Christ. The more genuine and the deeper our community becomes, the more will everything between us recede, the more clearly and purely will Jesus Christ and his work become the one and only thing that is vital between us. We have one another only through Christ, but through Christ we do have one another, wholly, and for all eternity.”
-Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Life Together, pp.25-26
Today's Dad Joke:
My wife always skips a letter when she sings the alphabet…and she never says Y…
