Wednesday, January 25, 2012

The God Who Sees Me



This morning during my devotional time, I read Genesis 16. This is the story of when Sarai, unable to have children, gives Hagar, her maidservant, to Abram. Then when Hagar conceives a child, Sarai begins to take her hurt, insecurity, jealousy and anger out on Hagar.

Talk about dysfunctional!

Hagar must have felt so betrayed. So unloved. So used. So alone. 

After the angel appears to her, “she gave this name to the Lord who spoke to her: ‘You are the God who sees me.’” Genesis 16:13

When I hurt. . .

When I cry . . .

When I feel all alone. . .

You are the God who sees me. 

Monday, January 9, 2012

Why Do I Serve?

"Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord and not men, because you know that the Lord will reward everyone for whatever good he does." Ephesians 6:7-8 


Too often I look for my reward to come from men, not from the Lord. I want the recognition, I want the encouragement, I want the honor. Isn't this what the hypocrites were desiring too? 


"Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven." Matthew 6:1 


Ouch. I want to live for a reward that comes from God.

Thursday, January 5, 2012

A Heart at Rest

"My soul finds rest in God alone..." Psalm 62:1


It's easy to "seek rest" in things other than God, isn't it? A job, financial stability, good health. But when chaos and uncertainty swirl around us, how often are our souls truly at rest? 


David was surrounded by people that wanted to dethrone him. Through the years, he had learned to trust God and find rest in Him. May that be said of us as well.