Psalms 73:16-28 | When I tried to understand all this, it troubled me deeply till I entered the sanctuary of God; then I understood their final destiny. Surely you place them on slippery ground; you cast them down to ruin. How suddenly are they destroyed, completely swept away by terrors! They are like a dream when one awakes; when you arise, Lord, you will despise them as fantasies. When my heart was grieved and my spirit embittered, I was senseless and ignorant; I was a brute beast before you. Yet I am always with you; you hold me by my right hand. You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will take me into glory. Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. Those who are far from you will perish; you destroy all who are unfaithful to you. But as for me, it is good to be near God. I have made the Sovereign Lord my refuge; I will tell of all your deeds.

But as for me, it is good to be near God. -Psalm 73:28

In a matter of weeks, the dreaded COVID-19 virus had turned our world upside down. “Everyone’s walking around not talking to each other. There’s no eye contact. It’s a very eerie feeling. The tension is really high. It feels like doom.” These were one person’s comments in our local newspaper describing life since the outbreak of the virus. People have been urged to keep safe distances from each other month after month, for their own protection and for the protection of others.

Social distance is a good thing when it’s necessary for human safety. However, this “distancing” principle doesn’t apply in our relationship with God. Spiritual distance isn’t good.

The writer of Psalm 73 wisely concluded, “But as for me, it is good to be near God” (v. 28). But aren’t there days and seasons when God seems far off? Things don’t add up; life doesn’t make sense. The “wrong teams” are winning (vv. 2–15). Confusion reigns in our lives and we cry out, “God, where are you? Have you forgotten about me?”

Then we come to our senses. Sometimes it’s in the context of worship (vv. 16–17) or through reading Scripture or through the encouragement of friends. Our hearts become sensitive again; prayers begin to rise from within (vv. 23–25). Our sight becomes clear and once again we recognize that “God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever” (v. 26). Even in the difficulties of life, we can be assured of God’s presence and draw close to Him.

Devotional from YouVersion Bible App – Our Daily Bread: Light in a Pandemic
Contact Pastor Rod Lindemann at RodL@TimothyLutheran.com on how to use the Bible App for additional readings and topics.
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2 Samuel 5:17-21 | When the Philistines heard that David had been anointed king over Israel, they went up in full force to search for him, but David heard about it and went down to the stronghold. Now the Philistines had come and spread out in the Valley of Rephaim; so David inquired of the Lord, “Shall I go and attack the Philistines? Will you deliver them into my hands?” The Lordanswered him, “Go, for I will surely deliver the Philistines into your hands.” So David went to Baal Perazim, and there he defeated them. He said, “As waters break out, the Lordhas broken out against my enemies before me.” So that place was called Baal Perazim. Baal Perazim means the lord who breaks out. The Philistines abandoned their idols there, and David and his men carried them off.

Isaiah 55:18-19 | 8“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. 9“As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.

In 2 Samuel 5, there is a short but beautiful story of God delivering his people from a huge army. There are many stories like this throughout the Bible, but I like this one, in particular, because it highlights a new name for God.

David exclaims in 2 Samuel 5:20, “The Lord has broken through my enemies before me like a breaking flood. Therefore the name of that place is called Baal-perazim. (which means, Lord of the Breakthrough).”

I love this because it helps me to realize that it is not just God’s actions, but also his character that I can depend on. God’s nature and his heart never change, even if his actions aren’t always predictable.

God’s ways are higher than ours. But the fight of faith isn’t about twisting God’s arm so he will perform a specific outcome for us. Faith is so much deeper than our external circumstances. The battle we face every day is to trust God’s heart and believe for the impossible.

We are always going to need breakthrough in our lives. Jesus told us, “In this world you will have trouble.” (John 16:33). Our fight, the trials, and the hardships will continue as long as we are on this side of glory. But until that day, we can hold on to the promise given by Jesus in the last part of the previous verse, “But take heart I have overcome the world.”

So when the mountains loom large in front of you, I pray that your faith will stir you and you will believe for more. I hope you will never forget what God has done and never forget who he is.

Breakthrough isn’t just something God does, it is who he is!

“Then I will say unto my soul, ‘Don’t be discouraged; don’t be disturbed, for I fully expect my Savior-God to break through for me.’ Then I will have plenty of reasons to praise him all over again.” (Psalm 43:5 TPT).

Devotional from YouVersion Bible App
Contact Pastor Rod Lindemann at RodL@TimothyLutheran.com on how to use the Bible App for additional readings and topics.
We would like to thank Between the Gardens for providing this plan. For more information, please visit: http://susieoneal.org

1 Peter 5:8 | Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.

Psalm 50:15 | and call on me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you will honor me.”

Sometimes the ache in your heart nags at you and reminds you of what you used to have. You push yourself past your painful circumstances, but some nights you fall asleep with tears running down your face; hiding from others because you have had to be strong for so long.

God whispers his love letter in your ears and reminds you to trust who he is. He is the God who showed the moon where to hide until evening. The one who made the walls fall with a shout. The God who turned the sea into a highway. The one who blanketed the morning grass with bread from the heavenly storehouse. He is the God who heals, raises the dead to life, and holds time in his mighty hands.

That is the God you serve.

Sometimes the field you are standing in seems so vast and wide and your assignment in this season seems so long. You wonder how much longer you can smile and keep going. But just know that the obstacles you have been encountering are making you stronger.

In the lonely moments, remind yourself that God is faithful and his love is everlasting. No person can fill your empty soul, only Jesus can do that. The devil will also whisper in your ear telling you that you don’t matter, no one cares, and that God doesn’t see you—but he is a liar.

The enemy will attack you, but it is time to fight back, not back down, and don’t give in. Remember who you are, who you serve, and how big our God is.

I know your skin is burning from the flame of this trial. Try and embrace the process of being gold that needs refined by the fire. Before you know it, the valley becomes the mountain, the storm becomes a sprinkle, and the dark of night is replaced by the light of the sun.

Hold on, your deliverance is coming!

Devotional from YouVersion Bible App
Contact Pastor Rod Lindemann at RodL@TimothyLutheran.com on how to use the Bible App for additional readings and topics.
We would like to thank Between the Gardens for providing this plan. For more information, please visit: http://susieoneal.org

Hebrews 12:1 | Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us,

After reading through the last few days of this plan, you should be gaining great confidence about knowing and doing the will of God in your life. After all, the One who spoke the world into existence is the same One speaking to you. And if He can set the sun, moon, stars, and galaxies in their places, He can certainly communicate His desires to you.

So why is it we sometimes fail to hear Him? After all, the Bible promises God will never stop speaking, instructing, and directing us. But the truth is, there are times when the problem of hearing the Father lies with us. If we’re experiencing a lack of communication with the Lord, it’s not because God’s unable or unwilling to connect with us. He can and will break through if we desire to hear Him. What He won’t do is force Himself on us—and He won’t override our refusal to hear Him.

Today, we’ll consider several factors that can block our ability to hear God. If not dealt with promptly, each can become noise in our lives that stops us from discerning what the Lord is saying to us.

1. Self Will — The most common and destructive of these factors is our own self-will. We’re so focused on our own needs and desires that we can’t hear what the Lord is telling us.

1. The Influence of Others — People have influence in our lives, and they’ll always have an opinion when we have a decision to make. But they aren’t you and will never know better than you what God’s will is for your life.

1. Ignorance of God’s Character and Principles — Another reason we may be hindered in hearing the Lord is that we don’t really know God and His ways.

1. Unbelief — Another factor which can hinder you from hearing God’s will is unbelief—a combination of fear in your heart about your situation and doubt concerning the Lord’s promises or character.

1. Feelings of Unworthiness or Guilt — How you feel about yourself can hinder you from hearing God, especially if you see yourself as unworthy of His love and concern.

1. Busyness — We all make choices about what we should do with our time—and often we may show that the Lord is our last priority by the small amount of time we spend with Him.

1. God-Directed Anger — The reason you either consciously or unintentionally avoid knowing God’s will is because of unhealed anger and resentment you have toward Him.

1. Willfully-Harbored Sin — Harboring sin can hinder you from hearing God’s will for your life. When we pass from committing a sin to harboring it (embracing and shielding it as part of who we are and what we’re entitled to), we put up a block between us and the Lord.

The greatest treasure apart from knowing Christ as your personal Savior and having His Spirit indwell you is to understand God’s purpose and plan for your life. Don’t allow any of the hindrances above to cause you to miss out on this awesome gift. Instead, pray often, asking God to evaluate you … and don’t ignore anything He reveals to you. Bring yourself into alignment with Him and watch all the ways His wonderful will unfolds in your life.

Devotional from YouVersion Bible App
Contact Pastor Rod Lindemann at RodL@TimothyLutheran.com on how to use the Bible App for additional readings and topics.
We would like to thank In Touch Ministries for providing this plan. For more information, please visit: http://intouch.cc/yv-will2

Psalm 32:8 | I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you.

Psalm 143:10 |  Teach me to do your will, for you are my God; may your good Spirit lead me on level ground.

1 Chronicles 16:8-12 | Give praise to the Lord, proclaim his name; make known among the nations what he has done. Sing to him, sing praise to him; tell of all his wonderful acts. Glory in his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice. Look to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always. Remember the wonders he has done, his miracles, and the judgments he pronounced,

James 1:5 | If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.

In order for you to willingly participate in God’s plan, you have to know what it is. And you must trust and believe that He’ll show you His plan when you seek Him. So make the decision right now to believe this simple fact—your Savior wants you to know His will so you can walk in it.

How do I know this?

First, because it’s God’s character to reveal His will to you. If the Lord wants you to live a certain way and make specific choices, then He must assume responsibility for teaching you the right thing to do. He understands that the road can become confusing and that often the choices you face are difficult and complex. But as a good and faithful Father who sees what’s ahead, He’s more than willing to help you—and He says so many times in His Word. In Psalm 32:8, He assures you, “I will instruct you and teach you in the way which you should go; I will counsel you with My eye upon you.” This is why you read about people such as David praying, “Teach me to do Your will, for You are my God; let Your good Spirit lead me on level ground” (Ps. 143:10). David knew that it was (and still is) the Lord’s character to want us to know what His will is so that we may walk in it (1 Chron. 16:8–12).

Second, God promises that He will show you His will. James 1:5 proclaims, “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him.” Likewise, Proverbs 28:5 affirms, “Those who seek the Lord understand all things.” In fact, throughout the Bible, you’ll find numerous promises the Father has given to reveal His plans to you.

So from this point forward in your walk with Him, let there be no doubt: You can be absolutely certain the Lord will show you His will. And if doubts do arise, place your rest in the assertion of Psalm 16:11: “You will make known to me the path of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy; in Your right hand there are pleasures forever.”

Devotional from YouVersion Bible App
Contact Pastor Rod Lindemann at RodL@TimothyLutheran.com on how to use the Bible App for additional readings and topics.
We would like to thank In Touch Ministries for providing this plan. For more information, please visit: http://intouch.cc/yv-will2