Daily Devotions: Seeing Everything

Job 28:24 For God views the ends of the earth and sees everything under the heavens.

I love using Google Earth on my computer. It amazes me that satellite cameras can focus on my neighborhood, allowing me to see my house from outer space. I also use it to look at the places in Scotland where I used to live. I can truly say that I can see my Dad’s house in Glasgow, Scotland from here in Knoxville, Tennessee.

Sometimes when I’m looking at Glasgow or Maybole where I ministered, I follow a road or a bus route and relive journeys from my past. I look at lochs and glens, beaches and bays and fondly remember days of my childhood and youth. We live in a remarkable age and I am truly delighted at having these experiences.

I also use Google Earth to look at places that are mentioned in the Bible. It gives me an idea of what kind of scenery that various biblical characters must have had when they walked the Earth. Recently, our church has been reading and studying Paul’s Letter to the Colossians and I found it interesting to look at the modern day region of Hanoz in Turkey. It made me realize how isolated those Colossians Christians were from the rest of the Mediterranean Church.

When I read this verse today from the Book of Job, it made me wonder if God looks across the Earth and not only sees what’s happening now, but fondly remembers times gone by when His Biblical people and Christ’s Early Church moved across the Mediterranean and Middle East. I guess if I can look at places in Scotland nostalgically, then God probably does the same.

I like that. I like the fact that God is watching me and recalling the events of my life at the same time. It comforts me to know that through Christ there are no barriers between God and me. And it reassures me to feel that God is very interested in each and every individual life on Earth. He truly views the ends of the Earth and sees everything under the heavens.

Prayer: Lord God, thank You for embracing this planet called Earth and its entire population. Thank You for the investment of Your Son Jesus in our history, geography, and lives. And thank You for the comfort that Your watchful and loving presence gives to each and every one of us. In Your Holy Name, we gratefully pray. Amen.

John Stuart is the pastor of Erin Presbyterian Church in Knoxville, Tennessee. If you would like to comment on today’s message, please send him an email to pastor@erinpresbyterian.org.

Daily Devotions: Tom and Jerry

Do you remember the old Tom and Jerry cartoons? Long before they were deemed politically incorrect because of the comic violence in them, I used to love watching them every night on TV. They made me really laugh, but I especially liked the cartoons when Tom the Cat or Jerry the Mouse struggled with temptation. When this occurred, there would usually be a small haloed angel on the right shoulder and a miniature red-faced devil on the left side of the cartooned characters. It was funny to watch and usually ended with Tom or Jerry giving in to temptation.

Bible Verse of the Day

Job 33:23, 24 "Yet if there is an angel on his side as a mediator, one out of a thousand, to tell a man what is right for him, to be gracious to him and say, 'Spare him from going down to the pit; I have found a ransom for him'-“

It would be handy to have such angels & devils on each of our shoulders. I guess they would keep us away from temptation. The Muslims believe in this, and live their lives in the fear that the divine scales of justice will lean against them because of succumbing to the angel of temptation too many times. Sadly, that’s why some of them strap explosives to themselves and commit suicidal murder. They wrongly believe that their sins are wiped out in the process of killing innocent people.

As Christians, we depend upon Christ to mediate on our behalf. He intercedes for us, asking God to forgive our sins and restore us to His Favor. That’s infinitely much better than having an angel on each shoulder, or blowing yourself up. This is why our faith is missionary – the good news of Christ’s forgiveness is what every person needs in this world, no matter what their faith system is. Christ alone has the power and authority to forgive sin, and Lord knows, we all are in great need of a Champion and Savior.

If you’re feeling guilty about something in your past, or perhaps you’re struggling against temptation, then please allow Christ to come into your heart to influence your life. Believe me, you’ll find that Christ has a lot more peace, love, and satisfaction to offer to you than you are presently experiencing. Just give Him the opportunity and He will help you turn your life around, by putting you on the true path to everlasting love and eternal life.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, we struggle with temptation every single day of our lives. We say and do things that we later regret. We make stupid mistakes and disappoint other people. Forgive our foolish ways and enable us to pull down the barriers of pride that keep getting in the way of allowing us to freely give our hearts and lives to You. In your Holy Name, we pray. Amen.