Category Archives: Devotion

GOD IS LIGHT

Devotion, ,

GOD IS LIGHT

5 This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. 1 John 1:5

The big tree in my neighbour’s yard has gone, cut down a few months ago. Now the sun shines in my eyes in the early morning, a blinding light I can’t escape unless I draw the curtain.

I can’t help thinking of descriptions of God in Scripture, so bright a light that He outshines the sun. “God is light,” wrote John, “and there is no darkness in Him.” He cannot cast a shadow because there is no light brighter than He. His light is all-consuming; none can stand alone in His presence.

A great hymn, written by Thomas Binney (1798 – 1874}, encapsulates this awesome truth, that no human can gaze on God’s glory and not be consumed… but God has made a way for us to see Him and not die.

Eternal Light! Eternal Light!

How pure the soul must be

When placed within Thy searching sight

It shrinks not, but with calm delight

Can live and look on Thee.

The spirits that surround Thy throne

May bear the burning bliss,

But that is surely theirs alone

Fot they have never, never known

A fallen world like this.

O how can I, whose native sphere

Is dark, whose mind is dim,

Before th’ Ineffable appear

And on my naked spirit bear

The uncreated beam?

There is a way for man to rise

To that sublime abode,

An off’ring and a sacrifice,

A Holy Spirit’s energies,

An Advocate with God.

These, these prepare us for the sight

Of Holiness above;

The sons of ignorance and night

May live in the Eternal Light

Through the Eternal Love.

What a reason to praise and adore Him, the three-in-one God!

DAY THIRTY – PSALM 23

Devotion, ,

DAY THIRTY

“The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.

He makes me lie down in green pastures,

He leads me beside quiet waters,

He restores my soul.

He guides me in paths of righteousness

for His name’s sake.”

Psalm 23:1-3

COMMENT

What a lovely psalm to end our first thirty days of praise!  You are truly blessed if you can say with confidence, “The Lord IS my shepherd.”  I love the last part of this quote because it gives me confidence to know that the Lord will fix all the broken parts of me and He will show me how to live a righteous life.  Without righteousness you cannot come into God’s presence.  He has provided you with a robe of righteousness as a free gift in response to your faith.  He knows that you can never meet His standards of righteousness on your own, but Jesus met them for you.   He also promises to lead you in a way that pleases Him.

PRAISE AND THANKSGIVING

Thank God today for His wonderful gift of righteousness.  Because He has done this for you, there is nothing to stop you from coming to Him at any time and anywhere.  What a blessing and privilege!

DAY TWENTY-NINE – PSALM 19

Devotion, ,

DAY TWENTY-NINE

“The fear of the Lord is pure,

enduring forever.

The ordinances of the Lord are sure

and altogether righteous.

They are more precious than gold,

than much pure gold;

they are sweeter than honey,

than honey from the comb.

By them is your servant warned;

in keeping them there is great reward.”

Psalm 19:9-11

COMMENT

Look at the last two lines of this psalm.  Sometimes you may not like being warned because you feel threatened.  But warnings are not meant to anger or frustrate you. They are meant to protect you from harm or danger.  God’s word is like a red robot at an intersection.  When you disregard the robot, you may end up having a serious accident.  When you obey traffic lights you are rewarded with a safe journey.

PRAISE AND THANKSGIVING

Thank the Lord that He has given you His word to warn you against the dangers of sin.  If you don’t heed His warning, you may find yourself enslaved to bad behaviour that will take you to hell.

DAY TWENTY-EIGHT – PSALM 19

Devotion, ,

DAY TWENTY-EIGHT

“The law of the Lord is perfect,

reviving the soul.

The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy,

making wise the simple.

The precepts of the Lord are right,

giving joy to the heart.”

Psalm 19:7,8

COMMENT

Have you ever stopped to think what a wonderful book the Bible really is?  David looked up at the marvels of the sky and declares that the heavens are continually speaking about God’s glory.  However, their speech is limited to talking about God’s greatness.  It’s in the Word of God that you read about His love, mercy and grace and you learn of His righteousness and holiness.  It’s through His word that you learn about what He has done for you and what He requires of you.  God’s word provides you with everything you need to live the kind of life that pleases Him (2 Peter 1:3-4).

PRAISE AND THANKSGIVING

Praise the Lord today for giving you His wonderful word.  Have you ever thought what life would be like without a Bible?  All the things you know about God and all the experience you have through knowing Him would just not be there!  It’s unthinkable.

DAY TWENTY-SEVEN – PSALM 16

Devotion, ,

DAY TWENTY-SEVEN

“Therefore, my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices;

my body will also rest secure,

because you will not abandon me to the grave,

nor will you let your Holy One see decay.

You have made known to me the path of life;

you will fill me with joy in your presence,

with eternal pleasures at your right hand.”

Psalm 16:9-11

COMMENT

On the day of Pentecost, Peter quoted this Scripture, referring to the resurrection of Jesus as a fulfilment of this prophecy. For you and me, the resurrection of Jesus is the guarantee that we will also rise again and have bodies that can never be destroyed by death or decay.  We have the promise of eternal life in the presence of God, forever enjoying the pleasures He has prepared for those who love Him (1 Corinthians 2:9).

PRAISE AND THANKSGIVING

Let you heart overflow with thankfulness to the Lord today that this life, with all its troubles and heartache, is not the end.  We have a hope of resurrection and eternal life that is always in front of us as a motivation to keep on living for God, no matter what happens in this life.