Christian Daily Devotionals

Originally written by Charles H. Spurgeon.. Updated to modern English by Darren Hewer, 2009.

“Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him.”
Psalm 34:8

Faith in scripture is described as being known through all the senses:

• Faith is sight: “Look unto me, and be ye saved.” (Isaiah 45:22, KJV)

• Faith is hearing: “Hear me, that your soul may live.” (Isaiah 55:3)

• Faith is smelling: “All your robes are fragrant with myrrh and aloes and cassia” (Psalm 45:8); “your name is like perfume poured out.” (Song of Solomon 1:3)

• Faith is spiritual touch. By this faith the woman came behind and touched the edge of Christ’s cloak (Luke 8:43-48) and likewise we handle the things of the good word of life.

• Faith is equally the spirit’s taste. “How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth!” (Psalm 119:103) “I tell you the truth, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man,” says Jesus, “and drink his blood, you have no life in you.” (John 6:53) This “taste” is faith in one of its highest qualities.

One of the first experiences of faith is hearing. We hear the voice of God, not with the outward ear alone, but with the inward ear. We hear it as God’s Word, and we believe it to be so; that is the “hearing” of faith.

Then our mind looks on the truth as it is presented to us. We understand it and perceive its meaning; that is the “seeing” of faith.

Next we discover its preciousness. We begin to admire it, and find how fragrant it is; that is faith in its “smell.”

Then we embrace the mercies which are prepared for us in Christ; that is faith in its “touch.”

Therefore what follows from all of these enjoyments? Peace, delight, communion … which are faith in its “taste.”

Any one of these paths to faith is saving. To hear Christ’s voice as the sure voice of God in the soul will save us. But true enjoyment is the aspect of faith where Christ, by holy taste, is received into us, and made, by inward and spiritual understanding of His sweetness and preciousness, to be the food of our souls. It is then we sit “under His shadow with great delight,” (Song of Solomon 2:3, KJV) and find His fruit sweet to our taste.

“Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, now that you have tasted that the Lord is good.” 1 Peter 2:2-3

Question: Which way of “perceiving faith” is most effective for you, and why?

You can comment on this devotional online at:
http://thoughts-about-god.com/blog/2010/03/18/cs_taste-see/

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by Max Lucado

“He lets me rest in green pastures.”  Psalm 23:2 (NLT)

For a field to bear fruit, it must occasionally lie fallow. And for you to be healthy, you must rest. Slow down, and God will heal you. He will bring rest to your mind, to your body, and most of all to your soul. He will lead you to green pastures.

Green pastures were not the natural terrain of Judea. The hills around Bethlehem where David kept his flock were not lush and green. Even today they are white and parched. Any green pasture in Judea is the work of some shepherd. He had cleared the rough, rocky land. Stumps have been torn out, and brush has been burned …

With his own pierced hands, Jesus created a pasture for the soul. He tore out the thorny underbrush of condemnation. He pried loose the huge boulders of sin. In their place he planted seeds of grace and dug ponds of mercy.

And he invites us to rest there.

Question: Do you need to slow down, and rest for awhile in God’s green pastures?

You can comment on this devotional online at:
http://thoughts-about-god.com/blog/2010/03/17/ml_for-the-soul/

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Max Lucado
Copyright [W Publishing 1998, 2001]
Used by permission

To learn more about Max Lucado visit his website at:
http://www.maxlucado.com/info/view/about_max_lucado/

by Marilyn Ehle

“If we confess our sins…”  1 John 1:9

Cameras recorded the public official’s unwise and potentially dangerous behavior. Although initially denying the gravity of the situation, his eventual public statement included these words, “I sincerely apologize for allowing myself to be placed in that situation where there’s a perception of wrongdoing”.

We might at first dismiss and decry such words as cautious “politikspeak”,  but they reveal a practice we often adopt in our own approach to confession—to both God and our fellow travelers. Frequently we couch our apologies in protective words like “I was stressed…or tired…or hungry”. “I was just doing what everyone else does”. “I never learned how to do it right”.  Or—even more wounding—“You did (that) so I did (this)".

How strikingly different was David’s response when faced with his heinous wrongdoing. “I have sinned against the Lord…I acknowledged my sin…I will confess my sin”.

To confess sin means “to agree with God”, about it, to have His view toward it. With that kind of honest confession and determination to turn from the sin comes the incredible flood of forgiveness: “…He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness”.

Father, forgive my tendency toward self-justification instead of honest confession. Help me learn to understand the difference between “God is love, BUT God hates sin”, and “God is love, SO God hates sin”!

You can comment on this devotional online at:
http://thoughts-about-god.com/blog/2010/03/15/me_lost-art/

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By Katherine J. Kehler

“Fear not, for I have redeemed you;
I have called you by name, you are mine.
When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;
and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you;
when you walk through fire you shall not be burned,
and the flame shall not consume you”  Isaiah 43: 1, 2

Fear not.  Those two words are found in the Bible sixty-two times.

Fear not, we are told—but what about when we get a phone call to tell us that our loved one has a terminal disease. Fear not – but what if your spouse loses their job.  Fear not - when you are pregnant and you begin to spot.

What do you do when the waves of fear begin to engulf your entire being? How do you "Fear not"?

First, talk to God. He will bring assurances and peace to your mind. Don't call or text message someone until after you have talked to the Almighty.  Talk to Him about your fear. Ask Him what to do next. He knows what has happened, but talking to Him will calm you down and give you His perspective. Ask Him for strength, for wisdom, peace, for His provision and for direction. Philippians 4:19.  Then do the next thing—the thing He puts in your mind.  Remember--take one day at a time and trust Him each step of the way.

Here is a personal example. While driving home one dark, rainy evening, a car, making a left hand turn at an intersection, drove right into the front side of my car.  This was my  first car accident. When the car finally came to a stop, I said to the Lord, "What do I do now, Lord"?  He sent a man to my car who asked if I was OK.  The man then phoned the police and my husband and daughter.  I was surprised that I was not afraid.

God sent someone to take care of me. I was not afraid.   The car was a write-off, but I was not hurt.

He will take care of you, too—no matter what happens.  He loves you.  Read Isaiah 43:1,2 once again.

Action point: Talk to God about your fears right now.  He cares.

Father, you are an ever present help in trouble. You have created us and know our tendency to fear, but you ask us to turn to You because you want to help us.  Thank you for your love, mercy, peace and strength.  Amen.

You can comment on this devotional online at:
http://thoughts-about-god.com/blog/2010/03/13/kk_fear-not/

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