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Devotions

Wrestling with Suffering

by TerryLema

It is difficult to watch the unimaginable suffering happening now in the Middle East. As Americans we are still a bit removed from such tribulation, even after 9/11. That event reminded us that we are not immune from the terrors of this world, but for many it has faded into the past. We remember, yes, but … the fear and horror have faded.

Suffering. How often have we heard people question, “If God is good, why do we suffer? Why doesn’t He do something about it?”

That is probably the greatest question about Christianity. Why do people suffer?

People more intelligent than I have tried to answer that question, so I’m not even going to try.  I will acknowledge two truths, however. God IS good, and yes, we DO suffer.

I understand that God granted mankind free will, and with that free will comes all the underlying dangers and disasters mankind can think up. I understand that the suffering in this world is directly linked to the rebellion that began with Adam and Eve in the Garden and that continues in us.

But I also understand two more great truths. God did not wipe us out because of our rebellion, neither did He leave us in our squalor. He sent His Son Christ Jesus our LORD so that we might have life eternal. [John 3:16]

And I also know that our suffering is confined to this world. It will not, cannot, enter the next. “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is going to be revealed to us.” [Romans 8:18 HCSB]

Thank you, LORD, that suffering is only in this present time, and for the glory that will be revealed in us. Amen!

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For the Good

by TerryLema

I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetic in 1999. The first thing I did was lose about 110 pounds. Since then, I have mainly managed it with diet and exercise. That ended when I acquired two auto-immune diseases about four years ago. The medications I needed to maintain control of them meant I lost control of the diabetes. My doctor prescribed plain old insulin.

About a month ago, I experienced a middle of the night event. I awoke in a cold sweat. When I tried to stand up my legs were shaky. I felt as if I was going to collapse. I took a blood glucose reading and found it was 47—way low. (Around 40 is when you can experience convulsions, coma, even death.)

When I told my doctor about it, she had me come in and talk to a young pharmacist, who asked me why I wasn’t on a continuous glucose monitor that would warn me of such events. I told her I tried a few months ago to get one approved, but the insurance company said I only took two insulin injections a day instead of the required three for coverage. She said, “nonsense, anyone on insulin needs one,” left the room and came back with one (and insurance company approval).

Over the next week, I experienced three warnings of low blood sugar in the middle of the night. I never knew that was happening. She changed my medication and I have not had another one.

Now I know that was a lot to read about something that probably doesn’t apply to you. But let me tell you what else happened. For two years I have been experiencing an unexplainable fatigue. I have had about every test you can take to find the cause, and nothing has been identified. Since I have eliminated (apparently) the middle of the night low blood sugar events, my unexplainable fatigue has vanished. I still have fatigue that can be explained … but the other is gone.

As I was thanking God this morning, I realized that I experienced Romans 8:28 and knew that I did in the space of three weeks. Usually, it takes me years to realize the “for the good,” but not this time. “We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God: those who are called according to His purpose.” [Romans 8:28 HCSB]

Thank you, LORD, that you can work all things “for the good” of those who love You. Amen!

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That Good Thing

by TerryLema

Black Friday deals no long wait until the day after Thanksgiving. I think they started advertising them the day after Labor Day.

I have been exploring various websites trying to find ideas for my loved ones for Christmas. I am trying for something meaningful, but not too expensive. I can find all manner of things outside my budget and a few things inside it. Choosing gifts that matter, however, is not always easy.

As I have been looking to find that good thing for each person, I thought about the gifts of God. The Psalmist reminds us that the Lord “gives” grace and glory (GREAT things) and that He will not withhold any “good thing” from those who love Him.

“For the Lord God is a sun and shield; The Lord will give grace and glory; No good thing will He withhold from those who walk uprightly.” [Psalm 84:11 HCSB]

Paul also reminds us of God’s gift of grace. “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.” [Ephesians 2:8-9 HCSB]

I am always blessed when I think of God’s grace. And especially so with the reminder that God’s grace is a gift. God graciously gives us the gift that meets the deepest needs of our hearts. We usually do not realize just how deep those needs are, but He does. He does and He meets them.

Thank you, LORD, for your gift of grace. It is the greatest gift ever granted to us. Amen.

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Ready!

by TerryLema

A few years ago, I made a mistake. It was a big mistake that offended a couple of people. Making it right was not possible. I admitted my guilt and asked those I offended for forgiveness. They expressed surprise when I asked but were unwilling (or not ready) to grant forgiveness.

That is why every time I read Psalm 86, my heart is comforted. My comfort is contained in two words.

“For You, Lord, are good, and ready to forgive, And abundant in mercy to all those who call upon You.” [Psalm 86:5 HCSB]

The first comfort is found in that word “ready.” Our LORD is ready to forgive. That word is “callach” and it means exactly how it is translated here, “ready to forgive.”

When I come to Him sincerely in repentance, there is no delay, no doubts, no refusal. My God is good, and He is ready to forgive.

The second comforting word is “abundant.”  That word is “rab” and it means much, many, and great. The mercy God gives is not stingy, or limited, or miserly. It is abundant “to all those who call upon” Him.

I am still waiting for those people I offended to grant their forgiveness. But I had forgiveness and abundant mercy the moment I called upon God and asked His forgiveness.

Thank you, LORD, for Your readiness to forgive! Amen.

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Be Courageous

by TerryLema

There was another mass shooting. This time in Lewiston, Maine. Eighteen people died at the hands of one crazed man. Sadness. Disbelief. Confusion. Abound.

The one voice that keeps repeating in my mind was that of a young girl who was injured. She was shot in the leg. She sat next to her mother as they were interviewed about their experience. After expressing her amazement that being shot was part of her life experience now, she asked a profound question, “Why do people do these things?”

Indeed, why do people do these things?

Evil is in this world. We can give it all kinds of modern definitions, but ultimately it comes down to the fact that evil is a real presence among us.

Jesus said, “You will have suffering [tribulation] in this world.” But then He did not end there. He reminded His listeners to “Be courageous!” because He had “conquered the world.” [John 16:33 HCSB]

As children of God, we do not have to be afraid. Cautious, yes. Wise, yes. But afraid, No.  Jesus has given those who have surrendered their lives to Him the ability to be courageous. He has provided the strength to face the world’s evils knowing that even if they kill this body, they cannot divert our eternal destiny from that day when we will be with Him in glory.

Thank you, LORD, for the courage to face this world’s evil. Thank you, LORD, that you have conquered the world. Amen.

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God’s Children

by TerryLema

I’m watching an ad for a financial institution where membership is limited. Not everyone can join, but only those who are or have served in the military … or those who have a family relationship with those who are or have served.

The commercial plays up the fact that not everyone can experience the privileges and benefits but only those who have certain qualifications.

That commercial reminded me that I have certain privileges and benefits that not everyone has. I have those delights because of God’s great love.

“Look at how great a love the Father has given us that we should be called God’s children. And we are!” [1John 3:1 HCSB]

For me, to be called a child of God is the greatest and most wondrous of privileges. God’s child. Me. I don’t deserve that privilege. I did nothing to earn it. It is not based on my service. It is not based on my family’s history. It is all because of God’s love. For that I am so thankful!

AND, in addition, I have found a family of brothers and sisters who also have been given this great privilege because of God’s great love.

Thank you, Father, for Your great love for us. Thank you for the privilege of being called Your child. Amen.

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With Me!

by TerryLema

I have been battling a cold for weeks. My generous husband brought it home and kindly shared it. (Next time he brings something like this home I’m checking into a hotel with room service for a week.

I cough, cough, cough, during the day and mainly at night. I have missed church for three weeks! I am sick of being sick. I have tried cough drops, OTC cough syrups and even a prescription cough med that was supposed to loosen and suppress the cough at the same time (which I totally do not understand). Nothing works.

My nights are spent traveling from bed to recliner to rocker to bed again, trying to find a place and position where I do not cough. So far, nothing seems to work. My sleep is spotty and rough.

I have discovered something about myself amid the coughing. I am not a very patient patient. I am more than ready to have this behind me.

And yet, as I sit here this morning wrapped in a warm sweater and blanket, I am thankful. My God has promised to be with me always. Well or Sick. Fussy or Patient. Peaceful or Struggling. I have His promise.

“Remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” [Matthew 28:20b HCSB]

Thank you, LORD, that You are here — always. Amen.

 

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It’s November!

by TerryLema

This, without a doubt, is my favorite month of the year! When November rolls around, and Halloween is behind us, and the wonderful Thanksgiving holiday and Christmas season is ahead, my merry-meter definitely starts to rise! Today my heart sings with thanksgiving.

I try each day in November to focus on one thing for which to thank God. I do try to be grateful all the time throughout the year, but November is my in-depth-thank-you-God time each year.

This first day of November my mind turned to Psalm 138, a psalm of David, labeled in my Bible as “A Thankful Heart.”  It begins …

 “I will give You thanks with all my heart; I will sing Your praise before the heavenly beings. I will bow down toward Your holy temple and give thanks to Your name for Your constant love and truth. You have exalted Your name and Your promise above everything else. On the day I called, You answered me; You increased strength within me.” [vs 1-3 HCSB]

“On the day I called, You answered me.”

My thanksgiving begins there, on that day 50 years ago when I called out to God and He answered me with grace, with mercy, with salvation. I may not have known it at the time, but it was the greatest day of my life – to be only equaled by that day when I see Him face to face.

Thank you, LORD, that you not only heard my call but that You answered the deepest need of my heart! Amen

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A Guessing Game

by TerryLema

Various people and agencies are trying to predict what the weather will be like in Idaho this winter. As I write this, we have a bit of an assurance of winter as temperatures this week are in the 20’s for our lows.

I was reading an article in my newsfeed that said, “According to the Climate Prediction Center, most of Idaho has a 40-60% chance of above-average temperatures and a 33-50% chance of below-average rainfall from November through January.”

I must admit as I read that glorious prediction I laughed. It was that little word “chance” that got me. So, in other words, it’s anyone’s guess what winter holds for Idaho this year.

Much of life is a guessing game. We try this and try that and then try to determine what we should do next. But—there is one thing we can do in life that is absolutely certain. That is, to place our trust in the LORD Christ Jesus as Savior and LORD. When we do that, Scripture tells us, we are SEALED!

2Corinthians 1:22: “He has also SEALED us and given us the Spirit as a down payment in our hearts.”

Ephesians 1:13: “When you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and when you believed in Him, you were also SEALED with the promised Holy Spirit.”

Ephesians 4:30: “You were SEALED by Him for the day of redemption.”

There is no guessing what the future holds for us. There is no 40-60% chance. We are 100% assured of our redemption and salvation. Our eternity is SEALED!

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Guardian

by TerryLema

Reading in 1 Peter, Chapter 2, I came to the section about “submission of slaves to their masters.” [vs 18-25]

Slaves and masters seem to us to be archaic terms. Because they are terms seldom used, we might think we should skip or skim through that section. We should not, however, because it holds wonderful truths.

At the end of that passage, Peter tells us to follow the example of Christ Jesus who gave His life for us. He reminds us that while He suffered, He did not threaten, but entrusted Himself “to the One who judges justly.”

Then Peter tells us that Christ Jesus bore our sins, and that by His wounds (stripes) we have been healed—a quote out of Isaiah 53. But it is the final verse of that chapter that drew my attention this morning. It begins with another quote from Isaiah 53.

“For you were like sheep going astray, but you have now returned to the Shepherd and Guardian [overseer in the NKJV] of your souls.” [HCSB]

The word for Guardian [HCSB] or Overseer [NKJV] is episkopos. Traditionally that word has been applied to a position of authority.  But in reality, the focus is upon the responsibility of caring for others.

That is what a guardian does. The role of a guardian (even in our day and age) is to ensure that the person under their care receives proper care and support in all aspects of their life.

Beloved, the One who died for us, Christ Jesus our Savior and Master, has taken on the responsibility of Guardian of our souls. Rejoice!

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