PASTORS' DAILY DEVOTIONAL
Mar
11

My Devotion To God

Richard Waialeale

Scripture
Deuteronomy 16:12 (NIV) 12 Remember that you were slaves in Egypt, and follow carefully these decrees.
Deuteronomy 18:13 (NIV)13 You must be blameless before the Lord your God.
Observation
The book of Deuteronomy is about Moses reminding the people of the events over the last 40 years. These were blessed times in the desert where they learned all about God. The message of Deuteronomy can be summed up as follows: “Devote yourself wholeheartedly to God.”
One of the things the Israelites struggled with was a grumbling, complaining spirit. I believe that if they only kept their eyes on God, their devotion to Him, their focus would have been more on Him, time spent well in their devotion to God then time spent grumbling and complaining which only angered God and it changed the direction of their future. This message is good even for the church today. If I have the time to grumble and complain about how lousy things are and how difficult my circumstances is - I’ll be consumed by my own complaining and lose focus on God’s Blessings.
ILLUSTRATION: Recently the NFL San Francisco 49ers completed an incredible 2012 football season falling short of winning the big one, the Superbowl. They made it to the big dance, the Superbowl, but couldn’t complete the final win, yet the team had an incredible season. Since 2005, the 49ers were under the leadership and direction of their quarterback Alex Smith - San Francisco’s overall first pick in the 2004 NFL draft pick. In the middle of the 2012, last season, quarterback Alex Smith suffered a concussion which sidelined him for several games. Quarterback replacement - second string, Colin Kaepernick. Kaepernick did an outstanding job, so outstanding that when it came time for Alex Smith to return to his starting position as quarterback, because of Colin Kaepernick’s replacement performance, the coaching staff had no choice but to keep Kaepernick as their new starting quarterback. All the way through the Superbowl. What’s incredible about this turn of events is the attitude and behavior of Alex Smith. Throughout this period of being replaced and losing his starting position as quarterback, Alex Smith could have been like the Israelites in the desert (because Smith was surely in a desert like experience) and grumbled and complained to the point of wanting to be traded to another team. But no, Alex Smith became the teams biggest cheerleader and encourager and motivator, not only to Colin Kaepernick, but the entire team. So much so that it caught attention of the entire NFL program.
Application
Often times I feel like I’m entitled to being the starting something of what I want to be. But the truth is, God is in control and if I keep my relationship and devotion to Him. I will get to see the promise land. One day I will walk into eternity and I pray I hear God say, “Well done my good and faithful servant.” I want to be an example of a good servant. A person that avoid the complaining and grumbling spirit when I thought I had every reason to be bitter. But no, I will refuse to become bitter, complain or grumble and keep my eyes on the one no one has seen. My blessings and reward is beyond the grave. It’s in eternity. I want to be an example of a person, like Alex Smith, who did not see entitlement, but saw the blessings of God. I am walking with Him and refuse to see the trouble around me.
Prayer
Father I pray, that I keep my eyes on You. I know Your there because when I’m walking through the desert, through the wilderness I feel You guiding and directing me. Hold me tightly Lord and want to stay close to You. In Jesus Name. Amen.

Devotions for March 11

Deuteronomy 16,17,18
Psalms 38
Galatians 2

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