Friday February 11, 2011
Theme: Rethink: Desires
Weekend Music links on iTunes: All Over the World - Matt Redman, Happy Day - Tim Hughes, Lead Me to the Cross - Hillsong, I Will Follow - Chris Tomlin
Read: Psalms 27: 1-14
Think: Want to resist temptation? Find a protected place.
In this passage, David says in spite of being surrounded by evil doers, adversaries, and an enemy, God has provided a place of protection. So David isn’t afraid, he doesn’t dread evil; he’s confident. Why? Because David knows his soul lives in God – he dwells in the house of the Lord. For David, that’s the safest place.
What’s a safe place? For an eagle in Redmond, it may be a redwood tree. I was looking out our living room window this morning at the tall, majestic redwood trees near our house, towering above the houses, shops, and streets. At the top of one of the giants, I saw an eagle, sitting quietly. It had found the safest place around. And it’s a great vantage point to see both enemies and food. If you’re an eagle in Redmond, dwell in a redwood tree.
My safest days, I’ve discovered, begin early with a quiet time, and include “heart talk” throughout the day. On those days, when temptations show up, I’m ready, I can spot them a mile away, just like that eagle. It’s like I’m way up in the top of a redwood tree. My risky days are the ones when I forget to spend time alone with God. It’s like my perch gets lower, I’m closer to the ground, and more vulnerable. Have you experienced the difference as well?
Do you want to find a safe perch? Spend time with God and let him raise you up. Want to be able to spot your enemies? Keep meditating on the Word of God. Want to walk on a level path? Let the Holy Spirit guide you into the truth. Want to be strengthened? “Be still and know that I am God.”
Do: Think about ways to develop your quiet time. Consider reading a psalm a day for a month. Begin today to let God strengthen you.
Pray: Lord, I want to live with you all the days of my life. I want to dwell in your house where I can be protected from evil because you are there. Lead me in the paths of righteousness for your names sake today. Amen.
The eDevotional is written each week by a team of volunteers from Timberlake Church.