For you have upheld my right and my cause, sitting enthroned as the righteous judge. You have rebuked the nations and destroyed the wicked; you have blotted out their name for ever and ever.
TO PONDER
Psalm 9 is probably written by King David, and is mainly a Psalm about thanks and praise and blessing. However, there are a few verses which remind us of the other roles God has. The Old Testament, or as some people call it, The First Testament, has many examples and stories of a judging God. Verse 5 above suggests that the Creator forgets those who fall outside the bounds of His Grace. He blots their name out forever. They are erased from history.
God does forget, after he has forgiven. Some years ago the Catholic Archbishop of Manila was pestered by a woman who came along to his weekly audience, saying she had a message from God for him. Eventually he said to her, ‘Look, we have strict guidelines about visions, so I need to test if it’s true. Go back, and ask God about a certain sin I recently confessed in private. If you ask God and he tells you the answer, I’ll know your vision is genuine’. Next week she returned, and the Archbishop asked her ‘Well, did you ask God about my sin?’
‘I did’ she replied.
‘And did God answer?”
‘Yes, he did’.
‘What did he say?’
‘God said that he couldn’t remember’.
Us humans find it difficult to forget a wrongdoing, especially if it is something done to us, but God doesn’t. Why not aim to make 2022 the year you forgive, without conditions?
Prayer
God of all, thank you for continuing to put-up with us. We don’t always get it right, but we know you give us a chance on a chance on a chance. Help us to shorten all the chances you give us, and to live a life worthy as your children. Amen
Today's devotion provided by Mark Simpfendorfer, LifeWay Epping
It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.
TO PONDER
Have you seen the film ‘Amazing Grace? If not, it is based on the true story of William Wilberforce, as he manoeuvres his way through the UK Parliament, in his quest to end the British Transatlantic slave trade. One of the scenes has Wilberforce talking with John Newton, the writer of the song Amazing Grace. Newton was a former slave trader himself, but when converted to Christianity, began to turn away from the slave trade. His journey included the writing of Amazing Grace, which has the lyric, ‘that saved a wretch like me’. Newton was moved by verses such as today’s. One memorable line in the film is uttered by Newton when he says, ‘I’m a great sinner and Christ is a great saviour’.
That’s all that needs to be said today. We are free. Embrace it.
PRAYER
Father, thank you for freeing us, for giving us life, for taking away the yoke that prevents us from living as your children. Give us the strength we’ll need to stand firm again the world. In Jesus name, Amen.
Today's devotion provided by Mark Simpfendorfer, LifeWay Epping
Calling the Twelve to him, he began to send them out two by two and gave them authority over impure spirits. These were his instructions: “Take nothing for the journey except a staff—no bread, no bag, no money in your belts.
TO PONDER
Can you imagine the response of the disciples taking instructions from Jesus? Even though they’d been with him for some time, and knew his ways were a little unorthodox, instructions to take the bare minimum when they were heading out might have prompted question such as:
You want me to take nothing?
What about my phone?
What about my credit card?
What about my forms of identification?
Jesus was teaching his followers about faith. He was teaching them to rely on him. He was giving them a lesson in ‘needs’ and not ‘wants’. We are the same, especially in this consumer driven world, where identity is measured by how much you have.
But we, as God’s children, have it all! It’s hard to fathom that, with loans, mortgages, and 30 day credits. But God provides us with all that we need. Another reason to thank God this new year.
(PS – If you get a chance, watch ‘The Chosen’. This is a free download, and shows the humanness of Jesus and his disciples. It’s a terrific portrayal.)
PRAYER
Lord, we do sometimes find it hard to go without. Thank you that there are plenty of things in your world for us to enjoy, but don’t let us get trapped by them. Continue to remind us that we have the best gift of all – and that’s you and your promises. Amen
Today's devotion provided by Mark Simpfendorfer, LifeWay Epping
Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken.
TO PONDER
This is another comforting text. God won’t let the righteous be shaken – that’s you and me! It’s another way of saying that you will be able to cope with whatever life throws at you – because we know God will sustain – (strengthen us physically or mentally) – through anything. Despite the unforeseen hassles, despite the worry, despite the world and its ways of getting us down, we won’t be beaten. We have the strongest team available, with the best coach and captain around, and even though we might feel defeated, God promised that he’s defeated everything. The toughest part? Letting him do it. Letting him take charge. Letting him be in control, because we want to do it ourselves. It’s on his job description anyway, so we may as well let him do his job.
PRAYER
Sustainer of all, work your saving and loving ways in our lives. Remind us to be thankful for your gifts to us, and to share the Good News you bring with those around us. Continue to bless our lives in 2022. Amen
Today's devotion provided by Mark Simpfendorfer, LifeWay Epping
So Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him.
TO PONDER
Are you a good waiter? Not the food restaurant type, but someone who has patience. I’ll admit – I’m impatient. I don’t have time to be patient – and that sentence there says it all!
God copes with my impatience though, and I’m glad about that, because the reason for my waiting is everlasting life. God will be bringing salvation to me, salvation that was promised to me at my baptism – which I don’t remember, but that doesn’t mean God’s promises don’t hold true.
And it’s great that God is looking after the salvation thing, because even though I try to do it myself, even though I think I can save myself, and I’ll try really hard to do it, the reality is, I can’t.
Maybe the message for 2022 is to let God be God.
PRAYER
Saviour of all, we await your coming with joy. Help us prepare our lives and those around us for your return. Prompt us to respond to your saving grace with lives of love for all around us. In Jesus name, Amen.
Today's devotion by Mark Simpfendorfer, LifeWay Epping.
"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
TO PONDER
Scripture was written in a time and place where beasts of burden were common. Bullocks or mules were used to plough fields or to crush grain to make flour. We don’t see them in Australia, but other places around the world still use that form of labour when farming.
When the animals were tethered to the yolk, the famer always placed a more experienced animal with a less experienced one, to teach. Matthew even mentions it – ‘take my yolk, and learn from me’. Jesus is allowing us to learn from him how to be a care-giver, and then lets us rest in him.
It’s a wonderful and comforting reminder, that our souls will feel his worth.
Prayer
Teacher and comforter of all, thank you that we can rest in you. Forgive us for the times we try and do things by ourselves. Remind us to lean on you…for everything. Amen
Today's devotion provided by Mark Simpfendorfer, LifeWay Epping
For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.
TO PONDER
Have you ever been hopelessly lost? There is an ad on the telly at the moment for an insurance company which offers roadside assistance- I forget which one - and it includes a man who recounts his experience of being lost. In the ad he says, "I didn't know where I was, but they did!" That's how it is with us and God. So often we think we have everything under control and we have life on track, while in reality we fail to notice the little things that slowly cause us to drift away from God until we are hopelessly far from him and completely lost. We might not always know where we are, but God does, and he sends us his Son and his Holy Spirit as our road side assistance to help us wherever we might be, not matter how far we have strayed into the bush.
PRAYER
Lord Jesus, thank you that you came into this world to meet us where we were, lost in our sin and in desperate need of a saviour. Thank you that you have not left us lost, but that you have come to find us and help us get back to where we ought to be. Help me to also be a help to others trying to find their way to you. Amen
Today's devotion provided by Mathew von Stanke, LifeWay Newcastle site pastor
Every valley shall be filled in, every mountain and hill made low. The crooked roads shall become straight, the rough ways smooth. And all people will see God’s salvation.’”
TO PONDER
Handel’s Messiah. That’s what immediately comes to mind when I read this text. Premiering in 1742 in Handel’s adopted country of England, it was not meant to be a Christmas piece – although we often hear it only at Christmas. It is possibly better suited to Lent or Easter. It was composed in English, and written very quickly, between three and four weeks. This meant that if Handel was working ten hour days, he was writing 15 notes per minute – and each note was in the right place!
It’s an interesting text as Luke is quoting Isaiah. How’s your path in life – crooked or straight? If it’s a little wonky, how can you make straight paths for the Lord? Life will often throw a crooked path in our way, but relying on God, the master-road builder, will allow you to navigate that path, knowing God is walking alongside you.
Prayer
Heavenly father, help us to make our paths straighter, and our rough ways smooth. Make 2022 a year for a more peaceful walk in our lives, knowing you are there for us. Amen
Today's devotion provided by Mark Simpfendorfer, LifeWay Epping
Truly my soul finds rest in God; my salvation comes from him.
TO PONDER
What are your main worries or concerns about the coming year? The words of this psalm are attributed to David, probably during the time that he was being hunted by King Saul and his men. For most of is reign David was fighting a battle with at least one other nation or tribe. He was a man who had plenty to worry about and yet he found rest and peace knowing that God was with him. How will you remember that God is with you even in the things that cause you worry and fear. God's salvation is complete and assured in Christ Jesus, so what could we possibly have to fear? Give your worries and cares and burdens to Jesus and find peace and rest for your soul in the arms of your God who loves and redeems you.
PRAYER
Lord God, when I feel fear or anxiety about the circumstances of my life, remind me that you are my salvation and that with you I have nothing to fear. Help me to face the year ahead with confidence and assurance because I know you will be with me. Amen
Today's verse provided by Mathew von Stanke, LifeWay Newcastle site pastor