I’m ashamed to admit how often I put myself down. Not always out loud, but in the cramped privacy of my own mind. Insults and dreadful conclusions. As in how horribly I’ve written these devotions. Churches and fellow believers I’ve let down. Being a rotten husband, parent, and grandparent. Why not be more sensitive and use your two ears more than that one big mouth? See what I mean?

I’m sure that some of you can identify. No? Only the downtrodden may apply for membership in this club. But, no doubt, you’ll get rejected!

Take a gander at 1 Samuel 15 in the Old Testament. It’s a story about ancient Israel’s King Saul, near the end of his disappointing reign. The Prophet Samuel is laying out the bad news for Saul. God is moving on to someone who will faithfully follow Him instead of the mess Saul has made of things.

Samuel asks Saul a question that hits me squarely between the eyes–‘…Though you are little in your own eyes, are you not the head of the tribes of Israel? The Lord anointed you head over Israel. And the Lord sent you on a mission…’ (1 Samuel 15: 17-18). Instead of Saul accepting the role and responsibility given to him by the Lord, he looks down on himself, not trusting God first and foremost or even obeying Him. But no, welcome to Saul’s pity party. Poor, little old victim-playing Saul. Whatever.

I need to remember that Jesus has made me an adopted child of God by dying on the cross. He endows me with spiritual gifts that help grow the Kingdom of God. He prays for me (Romans 8: 34 and Hebrews 7: 25), and so does God the Holy Spirit (Romans 8: 26-27). Jesus is my Good Shepherd (John 10: 11), caring for me in His flock. He’s even my Great Physician (Mark 2: 17), healing me, slowly but somewhat(!) surely, of selfishness and self-centeredness. And He’s prepared a home for me with Him in Heaven (John 14: 1-3).

Guess what? Not just for me! For you too, when you trust in Jesus as your personal Lord and Savior. So, stop looking down. Look up. Head held high. Move on for Jesus and for others. I’m starting to get up, and I have an extra helping hand, too. Want it? Come on, grab hold. That’s more like it!

Thank you, Jesus, for lifting me higher and higher until I reach the highest of all with you forever. Amen.

While vacationing in Ocean City, New Jersey, we’ve encountered hurricanes. Once a storm was moving offshore as we literally blew into town. A close call. Another time, we were ready to head off of this barrier island just as the gully washer veered off course, heading directly to where we were planning to flee to! It’s a good thing we stayed put. Once, while stopped at a red light, the wind was so fierce that even with my foot pushed as hard as I could onto the brake pedal, our Honda van kept moving through the traffic light into the cross street. Is this safe?

But where do you go when life’s vicious winds hit, as we seek some shelter in the time of storm? When you have to run for your life. Read Psalm 60, where you’ll discover what King David does–‘O God, you have rejected us, broken our defenses; you have been angry; oh, restore us. You have made the land to quake; you have torn it open; repair its breaches, for it totters. You have made your people see hard things; you have given us wine to drink that made us stagger’ (Ps. 60: 1-3). What gives? Someone sounds a tad bent out of shape, don’t you think?

Basically, the King complains to God that the Almighty has rejected His people, who ironically are the same blokes who turn their collective backs on God. David doesn’t try to hide his feelings. Hardly. Is that a hint? Not to play phony-baloney nicey-nice with your God when you’re seething under the collar?

But, by all means, don’t get stuck in the muck and mire of blaming and griping the One who least deserves it. Read on with King David. Psalm 60: 4-5–‘You have set up a banner for those who fear you, that they may flee to it from the bow. That your beloved ones may be delivered, give salvation by your right hand and answer us!’

In battle, look for the flag or banner of your own troops. Likewise, hang tough with like-minded believers and a church where the truths of biblical Christianity are held high and revered. Don’t be fooled into joining enemy lines. Flee all such. Get back to where you belong.

As Christians, we know that Jesus is our banner. He’s the One we can safely flee to, where help can be found. Jesus’ nourishment and encouragement are exactly what we need.

St. Paul writes this–‘No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation, he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it’ (1 Cor. 10: 13). God provides the escape route, leading us to the protected and secure place. We see the banner of His Son Jesus waving high in the sky. Will we follow Him? Stay ever closer to His side? Trust Him no matter what?

Whatever trouble dogs you today, look around patiently for indications of the Lord’s direction and presence. A friendly ‘banner’. Something good from an unexpected source. A flag that lets you know that you’re not alone. That the Special One is right there with you. Who? You know! The Resurrected Jesus whom we celebrate on Easter.

So, thank Him for standing pat, feet planted solidly in His love, never leaving you in the lurch.

Lord Jesus, thank you for being so good to me. I love you. Amen.

Over the years, I’ve encountered a few Bible teachers who seem to know all the details of Jesus’ second coming—the how, the when, and the where—often with an overconfidence that makes me uncomfortable. Like the Bible teacher I listened to on the radio as a young believer. I loved his teaching and couldn’t wait for his 8 o’clock show to air.

Decades later, he led a movement that captured everyone’s attention, predicting the day of Jesus’ second coming and even guaranteeing it. Disappointment must have mushroomed when those who sold all their possessions awaited a promised appearing act that just didn’t happen.

The lesson? Be more tentative, a smidgeon iffy, penciling in personal biblical speculation and guesstimates. Don’t be cocksure about something that’s in God’s view and not in ours–“He (Jesus) said to them (the Apostles), ‘It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority'” (Acts 1: 7).

Now, don’t get me wrong. When it comes to trusting Jesus to save us, forgive our sins, and stand with us no matter what, I can check the box that says ‘all of the above’ for those and other core beliefs of our Christian faith. But that’s not what I’m talking about.

In 1 Samuel 14, we encounter King Saul’s son Jonathan wanting to scope out the enemy Philistine army’s position and strength. He takes his assistant with him and tells him this–‘It may be that the Lord will work for us, for nothing can hinder the Lord from saving by many or by few’ (1 Sam. 14: 6).

‘It may be…’ Jonathan doesn’t know what God will do. He’s uncertain about the outcome. But he never wavers, knowing that God can defeat the enemy with only a few soldiers or many. ‘It may be…’

Moving on to 1 Samuel 24, David and some men discover King Saul in a cave. Fast asleep, Saul becomes a juicy target. David’s archenemy can now be eliminated. Here’s how David’s men summarize this situation–“Here is the day of which the Lord said to you, ‘Behold, I will give your enemy into your hand, and you shall do to him as it shall seem good to you'” (1Sam. 24: 4).

An answer to prayer? God’s will, for sure? What’s David’s take on this golden opportunity? Will he do away with the Lord’s anointed, King Saul? Seize this moment? Listen–‘The Lord forbid that I should do this thing to my lord, the Lord’s anointed, to put my hand against him, seeing he is the Lord’s anointed’ (v.6).

Hmm. That gives me pause. We must be careful about concluding some specifics of God’s will. Of course, make plans. Look ahead. Be responsible. Don’t be lazy and forget to do your homework. Burn the midnight oil. Seize the day.

But use that Dixon Ticonderoga #2 you-know-what, knowing that God’s revealed will is found in your Bible. He tells us everything that we need to know. So be a tad tentative with specifics that He hasn’t told us about. Pencil them in. Know what you know and let the rest be in God’s hands. I’m an amateur with this as much as the next. But I’m trying. Who said, ‘very’!?

Thank you, Lord Jesus, for the Bible, your guide for my life. Amen.

How can anyone choose the most extraordinary chapter in the Bible? Certainly, I can’t. But reading Romans 5, you’ll wonder if this might be it. Every time I delve a little deeper, I’m blown away by its truths. Can I be so bold as to ask you to read Romans 5 this week? Why not? You won’t be sorry.

That first verse is jaw dropping–‘Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ’ (Rom. 5: 1). It sounds like a peace treaty has been signed after a lengthy and brutal war. Well, it has.

Our war, involving multiple armaments of sin, has brought enmity and division into our relationships with God. Yet, peace comes, not from anything done by you or me, but from God Himself by the shedding of His only Son’s blood on the cross. Our part? To believe, to trust, to toss our life His way, into His hands. Too hard to do? Try it.

Verses six and eight bring us to the mountaintop–‘For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly…God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us’ (Rom. 5: 6, 8).

Our good and gracious Lord shows such love for us who were His enemies. When we could care less about Him and His ways, still He paid the ultimate price to free us from all our sin, making us His own forever, clean as a whistle. Think about that for a moment. Unbelievable? Too good to be true? Am I selling ‘Father John’s Miracle Elixer of Life’ snake oil? No. Believe Romans chapter 5. It’s true!

Now we find ourselves on the ‘friends and family’ plan with God. Check this out–‘For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life. More than that, we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation’ (Rom. 5: 10-11). Keeps getting better. God’s gifts roll out with an increasing acceleration. However, we’ve earned none of them. They’re all from His generous and loving heart.

Romans 5–an extraordinary chapter in the Bible? Certainly is, and I’ve only covered a smidgeon. Treasure it in your Bible. Blow the dust away and dig in. Spend more time in its pages, where you’ll discover that Jesus has become even closer than any best friend ever. Doesn’t get much better than that. Agreed? Enjoy!

Lord God, thank you for your Word. May I treasure it in my heart and mind. For Jesus’ sake. Amen.