Devotionals/Sunday Psalms – Page 17

Relationship or Contract

“What does all this mean? Even though the Gentiles were not trying to follow God’s standards, they were made right with God. And it was by faith that this took place. But the people of Israel, who tried so hard to get right with God by keeping the law, never succeeded. Why not? Because they were trying to get right with God by keeping the law instead of by trusting in him.” Romans 9:30-32

Reading these words Tuesday, I was struck, once again, that God wants a personal relationship. Many of us, even after we believe Jesus is Messiah, still try to be accepted by him through doing right, thinking right, and feeling right. Yes, singing songs, listening to a sermon, meditating on scripture, and exercising courage in spite of fear are all good. But God accepts us into his family because we trust him, not because we do it all right.

Seeking acceptance by performance is a business contract. If we operate as if the foundation of our relationship is contractual, we’ve missed God’s best. A contract lays out the goals and duties of the parties to the agreement. Love isn’t essential to a contract. Respect is not crucial. Obedience is all that matters and disobedience, not meeting the contract terms, will terminate the agreement.

God is after more than that. He wants a family. He wants obedience, yes. But he wants obedience not because he’ll disown us if we disobey, but because obedience is what we’re made for. We’re made to be part of Papa-God’s family. That’s where life is. There’s no hope, no future, and no forgiveness outside the family of God. Inside the family, faith, hope, and love reign and life extends forever.

Good families don’t disown disobedient children. Boundaries may be set, fellowship may be broken, but a light burns in the front window for us.

Are you trusting Jesus’ love sacrifice? Or are you attempting to do everything right?

Father, strengthen our trust.

Heart Hammock

Abraham never wavered in believing God’s promise. In fact, his faith grew stronger, and in this he brought glory to God. He was fully convinced that God is able to do whatever he promises. Romans 4:20-21

Good promises provide a structure in which we can rest. When a father promises a child Disneyland for spring break, the child builds that future in his imagination.

He finds the Disney website, the better to see himself there. He checks youtube for videos from the Screaming California roller coaster. He anticipates the adrenaline rush of riding the Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. He looks forward to ice cream, meeting Mickey, and experiencing the Rainforest Café.

He adds that promise to others, the ones spoken and unspoken. He counts on his parents’ unspoken promise to give him food, clothing, and a place to live. Together, promises create a structure, like a rope hammock, in which his heart can rest.

Like a happy child, our rest depends on our trust. With Abraham, I want to be fully convinced that God is able to do whatever he promises.

Recently, God has convicted me that I have been looking too much at my own inability and not enough at his ability. When I began writing and speaking, I began because of a promise he gave me personally.

But I haven’t fully rested in that promise. Parts of me have, or I wouldn’t have attempted to write Trading Fathers or get published in Today’s Christian Woman. However, a significant part of me has been afraid to relax in that enveloping hammock.

But I am so ready.

How’s your heart? All in the hammock? Or are parts of you pacing, wishing you could just lie down?

Jesus, we want to rest in your promises. Calm our hearts today.

You Just Have to Believe

The “work” God requires is to believe in Jesus. John 6:28-29. Sounds easy, doesn’t it? Just believe. And yet, belief requires a deep attitude change.

kels sitting on chair Pictures, Images and Photos

Unlike being “good.” In many ways, we can be good, as some are saying now, without belief in the father of Jesus. Often, we can choose kindness and consideration. We can choose to do what’s good for us and for others, at least as far as our own insight and self-control takes us.

Belief, however, requires something much more penetrating. To believe is to put our weight down, as on a chair, expecting to be held. To trust.

Reminds me of a poem:

Oh, My

Being good—that’s not so hard.

I can tell the truth, mostly,

and stay out of other people’s beds

and even forgive my father.

But belief. Oh my.

I am made a little lower than the angels?

I am accepted in the beloved?

I am the joy set before you?

Oh, my goodness.

Father, give us grace today to believe in the one you have sent.