For God�s wisdom and insight for Secretary of Defense Robert Gates as he continues to lead our nation�s defense efforts in the world
Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you preserve my life; you stretch out your hand against the anger of my foes, with your right hand you save me.
--Psalm 138:7 (NIV)
Holy Lord God, all dominion and power are Yours! You oversee all authority in the world and You call into leadership those whom You desire to lead. We thank You for all the gifted leaders You have brought to Washington in the new administration, and we acknowledge Your sovereignty and power as you do so.
We bring to You today Defense Secretary Robert Gates, asking that You work in all the areas of his life�his body, mind and spirit�bringing him to Yourself in mercy and love. Give him godly wisdom and insight, Lord, as he leads our nation�s defense efforts in the world. Help him as he helps our country, Lord, and may he be encouraged and strengthened today, we pray. In Jesus� holy name, amen.
Good and upright is the Lord;
therefore he instructs sinners in the way.
"The faithful feel that their hearts soon languish in prayer, unless they are constantly stirring themselves up to it by new incitements; so rare and difficult a thing is it to persevere stedfastly and unweariedly in this duty. And, indeed, as one must frequently lay on fuel in order to preserve a fire, so the exercise of prayer requires the aid of such helps, that it may not languish, and at length be entirely extinguished."
(Commentary from Heart Aflame: Daily Readings from Calvin on the Psalms)
It's the last review time for this book, so I will look back at the last six devotions to see what I've learned.
Day 358--Grace Versus License--Jude 3-8
We must be very careful in our observations of grace to not practice lawlessness or take license. Our freedom in Christ is not given so that we may give opportunity to the flesh. Rather it is so that we might worship him freely. Grace is precious. We must not abuse it.
Day 359--The Sovereign-Strong--Revelation 1:4-8
I like Eugene Peterson's summation of the entire book of Revelation. God wins! Revelation is about worship! Here is what I observed about God from this passage:
You are A to Z.
You are The God Who Is.
You are The God Who Was.
You are The God About To Arive.
You are The Sovereign Strong!
Day 360--Listen--Revelation 2:7,10-11,17
What have I been listening to? What is God telling me? Love. Love the body of Christ. And...this was a shocker...if I am in his power, I am invincible. The key (and difficulty) is remaining in his power.
Day 361--Before The Throne--Revelation 4:2-8
John has an amazing vision of the scene in heaven before God's throne. The basic theme is worship. That is what is happening in front of God while John is watching. Holy, Holy, Holy! THE WAS. THE IS. THE COMING.
Day 362--Before The Throne--Revelation 7:9-12
Yet another vision of the Father's Throne. Here is what is being sung in this one:
Salvation to our God on his Throne!
Salvation to the Lamb!
Oh, Yes!
The blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving,
The honor and power and strength,
To our God forever and ever and ever!
Oh, Yes!
We sang this at church yesterday. "To Him who sits on the throne, and unto the Lamb...be blessing and glory and honor and power forever!"
Day 363--Death Gone For Good--Revelation 21:1-11
A fitting title for the last Scripture reading in this devotional. Look! Look! God has moved into the neighborhood, making his home with men and women! They're his people, he's their God. He'll wipe every tear from their eyes. Death is gone for good�tears gone, crying gone, pain gone�all the first order of things gone.
This is one of the most beautiful promises in the whole Bible. Someday...
Well, that's it for today. Tomorrow will be sort of a recap, I think. And then it's on to something else. But I'll keep these up, whatever I do.
Grace and peace, friends.