March 13 – Releasing What’s Temporal

“Man, who is born of woman, Is short-lived and full of turmoil. Like a flower he comes forth and withers. He also flees like a shadow and does not remain.” – Job 14:1  (NASB)

Perhaps at times like these, with uncertainty in every headline and trending on social media, we need to remember who it is that eternally controls of all things. Job affirms this fact. Confronted with intense testing and suffering Job asks for meaning since life is short, all are sinners (v. 4), and days are limited (v. 5), then comes death (vv. 7–12). We are reminded of the fact that the life we have and the things that we accumulate should be held lightly. We do not delight in this stark reality as we recognize we may be just a hair-breadth away from the “arrows of adversity.” The psalmist in Psalm 30:6-7, boasted how his mountain stands firm and that he will never be moved. We live in tremulous times as we observe what is happening to the people and especially our brothers and sisters in Ukraine. C. H. Spurgeon said of this truth, “We should love, but we should love with the love which expects death, and which reckons upon separations.”* Let’s keep our perspective: our loved ones are simply on loan to us and one day, maybe sooner than we wish, they will be returned to His hand.

*C. H. Spurgeon, Morning and Evening: Daily Readings, (London: Passmore & Alabaster, 1896).

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October 28 – None But Him

“And there is no God apart from me, a righteous God and a Savior; there is none but me. Turn to me and be saved, all you ends of the earth; for I am God, and there is no other.” Isaiah 45:21b-22 (NIV)

These are important words which we should never forget. There is only One true God, but how wonderful to know that this is all we need. Yes, this one true God has made a way for us to know Him and to know what He can do for us. In our verse God calls Himself our Savior and He invites us to turn to Him. If we do turn to Him He will save us from sin and save us from despair and from uncertainty.  No matter what other ways people choose to believe, our God is the only one who can meet our needs. So friends, lets listen to the words of the only God, for there is no other. 

December 31

“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” Hebrews 13:8 (NIV)

We have come to the last day of this year. It is a reminder of a changing world. Is it not wonderful to know that in this changing world which can be filled with chaos and uncertainty there is One who never changes and that is our verse for today. He is always the same and we can trust him fully. We face the unknowns as we face a new year. But Jesus is the constant in our lives. As He cared for us in the past He is faithful, never changing, dependable, and we can trust Him for the future for His love and His care. Remember that His promises remain the same. What we experience from His hand in the past will be there for us as we go into the New Year with Him.