Sabbath Psalms - My Portion, My Cup

Psalm 16:5 Lord, you alone are my portion and my cup; you make my lot secure. (NIV)

Like a lot of people, I have felt overwhelmed lately, mainly because of the situations and circumstances of things at home and around the world. Watching the news, hearing political pundits, reading about wars and conflict, as well as worrying about the climate, have flooded my heart, mind, and soul with so much negativity that I sometimes wonder if it’s worth getting out of bed and being in the world. I feel sad and disappointed that human beings display so much hatred and hostility to one another which makes me occasionally think we’re in a downward spiral as far as civilization is concerned. It’s very hard to shake off these feelings and there are also moments when I feel angry at God for letting so many things spin out of control. 

However, I won’t give in or give up. I still believe there is goodness in the world and that through God’s grace, I will rise above these troubles and setbacks. Political leaders may posture and parade their pomposity, as well as their delusions of grandeur; nations may commit genocide and violently wage war with one another, but there will be a time when those who are guilty of these atrocities and such arrogance will be held accountable by the world, by history, and even by God. Powerful men may think they are above the law and can do what they want, but there is always a higher law and a more powerful God watching them, too. 

I like today’s highlighted verse from Psalm 16 because it reminds me that even I have limits. There are people and events that are beyond my control, so the portion that God gives me in life and the cup He expects me to drink are finite. Instead of focusing on things that I cannot change, I need to look at the people and places around me that need my support and help, who in turn can encourage and strengthen me. Instead of using up my emotional and spiritual energy on things that are beyond me, I need to give my attention to the needs in front of me. Rather than dwelling on the past or worrying about the future, I should concentrate on what’s happening now in the portion of life that God has given me. As Jesus once said, “Stop worrying about tomorrow, there are enough concerns to be dealing with today.” (Matthew 6:34). 

Perhaps you are feeling the same burdens of concern and feel broken by recent events. Maybe you’re worrying about what lies ahead and are losing sleep because your mind won’t let go of your anxieties or grief. Please remember that you are only human which means you’re finite, frail, and limited, too. Let go of what you cannot change and let God help you concentrate on what is your portion of concern and your cup of compassion to help heal your community. That’s all God expects of you, so why not expect the same for yourself?

Point to ponder: How burdened am I by the world? Am I willing to be relieved and carried by God?

Prayer: Lord God, sometimes we are overwhelmed by things way beyond our control and outside our sphere of influence. Help us to discern the things that we can do to make a difference personally, instead of burdening our lives by wishing we could individually change the entire world. In Christ’s Name, we humbly pray. Amen.

John Stuart is a Scottish Presbyterian pastor living in Knoxville, Tennessee.

Lent devotion: Redirection

Psalm 25:5 Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long. (NIV)

I love using my GPS (Satnav in the UK), especially when I’m traveling to a distant or new place. It takes the worry out of reaching my destination and has made driving so much easier. I trust the satellite system to be accurate and it has only failed me a couple of times. I rely on it to be updated and will continue to use it whether it’s to get me around the city or even across the country.

In very much the same way and with a great more faith, I place my life into God’s hands. The ultimate destination is a new and distant place: Heaven. I can only get there by following God’s directions which are mapped out for me in the Bible. There are times when I get lost, or take a short cut, or even ignore God’s guidance. During those moments, I need to return to God, ask for forgiveness, and allow Him to recalibrate my direction. Thankfully, God’s grace through Christ permits me to get back on His path again, so I can once more travel heavenward.

Perhaps you feel lost or have taken a wrong path. Maybe you feel a gap between you and God and don’t know where to go with life or what to do. Come to God in prayer and just ask for His guidance. He’ll put you back on the right road and once more you can find hope in Him all day – and all life – long. 😊

Q: Where am I headed in life? Am I willing to let God recalibrate my direction?

Prayer: Lord Jesus, be our Guide today and reset our tracks on the right road that leads to heaven. Grant us the guidance we need and reassure us of Your love. In Your Holy Name, we pray. Amen.

Map Reader - Psalm 25:4

Psalm 25:4 Show me your ways, Lord, teach me your paths. (NIV)

It was in the Boy Scouts that I learned how to read and use a map. I can remember hiking in the Campsie hills above Glasgow, Scotland with my Scout troop. As we climbed the hills, a deep fog descended around us and before long, it seemed to me that we were hopelessly lost. As the mist slowly cleared, we began to see the landscape of the Campsies around us. During this time, our patient Scoutmaster unfolded a map and pointed out the various small streams and elevation markers that were drawn on it.

At first, all I saw were lines on a piece of paper which meant nothing to me, but as my Scoutmaster pointed to all of the trails, brooks, and peaks around us while carefully identifying them on the map, I began to make the connection. He knew exactly where we were and he was teaching all of us how to discover our location and re-find our path. It was a wonderful lesson that I have never forgotten and to this very day, some fifty years later, I still enjoy looking at and reading maps wherever I go.

In today’s highlighted Bible verse, the ancient psalmist is asking God to show him the right path to take. The psalm writer, possibly King David, has reached a point in his life where he doesn’t know what to do or where to go. He needs God to indicate his location and show him the way ahead, so he prayerfully and sincerely asks for God’s direction. It’s a simple act of faith and trust which we all experience many times in our lives. Thankfully, God hears our prayers and is always willing to show us the path ahead. So, no matter who we are or what we are feeling, encountering, or experiencing today, it’s good to know that God is always aware of the life trail that we are on, and will always be our map reader and patient guide.

Point to ponder

Where am I? What path does God want me to follow?

Prayer: Lord God, You have always been leading us through each day of our lives. Every moment is a sacred experience; every step is an act of faith. Be with us and guide us on this great journey we call life and, when all of this is over, lead us upward and onward to Your Eternal Kingdom. In Your Holy Name, we pray. Amen.

John Stuart is the pastor of Erin Presbyterian Church in Knoxville, Tennessee. Come and join us for worship on Sunday mornings at 11:00 AM. You will be made very welcome 😊

Today’s image is one of John’s Appalachian drawings called “Smoky Mountain Morning.” If you would like to view a larger version, click on this link: Smoky.

One Minute Message - Guidance

Guidance

James 1:5 If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. (NIV)

We all need help getting through each day, especially when we have tough decisions to make or are faced with difficult circumstances. Sometimes we don’t know who to turn to for support or we lack the wisdom to enable us to overcome our problems. The apostle James reminds us that God has promised to guide us when we sincerely ask Him for help, so no matter who we are or what we are going through, God is ready, willing, and able to support and direct us.

Prayer: Lord God, You are completely aware of what I am currently experiencing. Help and guide me today. Amen.

Dealing with Change - Matthew 17:22-23

Matthew 17:22-23     When they came together in Galilee, he said to them, “The Son of Man is going to be delivered into the hands of men. They will kill him, and on the third day he will be raised to life.” And the disciples were filled with grief. (NIV)

            The disciples appear to have missed the point. Jesus has told them about His death and resurrection, but they got hung up on the bad part of His message. Of course, it could be that they were shocked and couldn’t get past the image of Christ being killed. I guess if we had been in their shoes at the same time, we might have dwelled on it, too. This shows us how human the disciples really were, which means we can often relate to their natural responses to all Christ said or did.

            We live in immensely transitional times, so it’s very easy to get downhearted about all the things beyond our control. We can choose to be fearful about the future or we can decide to remain faithful to the values that we personally embrace. Change is never easy, but it can be an opportunity to consolidate our reliance on God. I personally have found that when I’m faced with turbulent transitions, I pray more often and more deeply. This makes me understand how much I actually depend upon God to help me endure and enables me to eventually overcome my changing circumstances. Instead of dwelling on my difficulties, I prayerfully hand them over to God, letting Him do what I can’t, and allowing Him to lead me where He wants.

Point to ponder

What am I afraid of most, right now? Am I willing to let God help me?

Prayer:            Lord Jesus, You perfectly understand our present circumstances. Embrace us at this moment in time and lead us each day. In Your Holy Name, we pray. Amen.

Today’s image is one of John’s Autumn drawings called ‘Season Finale.’ If you would like to view a larger version, please click this link: Tree.

John Stuart is the pastor of Erin Presbyterian Church in Knoxville, Tennessee. You can read the church website at this link: www.erinpresbyterian.org.