Christian Daily Devotionals

by Bethany Hayes
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“Be still, and know that I am God.�  Psalm 46:10a

With summer here, the stormy winter and chilly evenings of recent months have quickly been forgotten.  One morning, however, my heart felt like a lingering storm.   Numerous needs – my own and others’ – were crashing in on me like an unexpected whirlwind. 

Casting these burdens on the Lord, I was suddenly awakened to a scene quietly unfolding outside my window.  Like a fitting backdrop, tall fir trees lining our neighbor’s fence stood motionless, being what they were created to be.  Without a word, early summer flowers were telling of their Creator’s faithfulness and love for beauty.   Soon, a sparrow entered to complete the picture, not planting seeds or gathering food into a barn, but happily discovering and enjoying what our heavenly Father had provided for him.  This hushed scene struck me with its peacefulness – a sharp contrast to my stormy heart.

Distracted by this stillness, my thoughts turned to a particular storm in the lives of the disciples – one in which their Maker slept on a pillow.  The disciples weren’t sleeping.  With an unexpected storm crashing in on them, their lives were in turmoil.  But when they woke Jesus, He commanded the stormy winds and waves to be still.  And they obeyed.

Creation busies itself by resting in its Creator’s authority and by obeying the same command given to us:  “Be still, and know that I am God.�  (Psalm 46:10a)

He is God.  And that’s all we need to know to be still.

Father, Thank you for rest promised to those who remember that You are God.  Knowing who You are, we seek Your strength to be still.  In Jesus’ Name.  Amen.

You can comment on this devotional online at:
http://thoughts-about-god.com/blog/2009/07/04/bh_stillness/

by Roderick Marshall
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He said, "Come." So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, "Lord, save me." Jesus immediately reached out his hand and took hold of him, saying to him, "O you of little faith, why did you doubt?"  Matthew 14:29-31 (ESV)

My window at work looks towards the Cotswold Hills. When the clouds descend, the hills become hidden from view. Today, they arrived with snow in them, and true to form, the hills disappeared under the clouds' caress. With the advent of thick snowflakes, the clouds increased their hold on my viewpoint and soon I could only see the university grounds.

I was taken up with the ferocity of this deluge from the sky, but eventually my focus returned to work. Later, the hillside shroud departed and I noted the contrast between the sunshine of a clear sky to my left and the total coverage of heavy cloud, mist and snowfall being relentlessly blown away to my right.

So stark was the contrast between the cloud and snow on the one hand and the bright blue sky on the other, I thought there was a point to this, but I dismissed it as a passing whim.

However, I was to be reminded a second time a few nights later. In contrast to the dark of the night, the cloud reflected the lights of Gloucester city as we drove home. Like a signpost in the sky, the edge between darkness and light was clear to see. It was as if God was giving me a nudge to take note of what had happened previously.

This was my thought: in the middle of some big event, we may slip into a frenzy of agitation, one that consumes our total attention. Enthralled by a cloud of circumstance, we become shrouded from the greater perspective, and our Kingdom goals seem a distant hope.

Our hearts may be agitated today, but be of good courage, because just like the blue sky restored my original perspective of the hills, so too will come the hand of Jesus to lift us.

PRAYER: LORD, forgive us our distractions that take our hearts and minds away from your protective love and grant us restoration to Your embrace. We rejoice that though you know our doubts and fears, yet you still choose us today.
LORD, as You send us out into the world again today prompt us to keep our eyes focused on Your Way. Amen.

You can comment on this devotional online at:
http://thoughts-about-god.com/blog/2009/03/10/rm_clouds/