If you were not able to attend yesterday’s time of worship, Pastor Mary used a great visual that applies perfectly to today’s devotion (the image below is an example). First, she held up a red paper heart that had “Me” written on both sides. She explained that when we focus on ourselves and our problems, we forget to focus on God; thus, we allow the enemy in to work on our hearts. As she explained this, she tore the heart into pieces, because let’s face it, the enemy seeks to break our hearts and to leave us broken. Then, Pastor Mary held up another heart that had “Me” written on one side and “God” on the other side. She explained that when we focus on God to take care of us and our problems, He holds our hearts in wholeness and He works to heal and restore them.
God does not get angry with us when we cry out to Him, or when we are honest with Him because He wants us to seek Him at all times. We must remember that this natural world is fleeting, but what Jesus has for us in the supernatural is eternal and available to us now. We need to get to the point where we are instantaneously sharing the good, bad, and ugly with Jesus. Our focus needs to be on God first and foremost all of the time and in all circumstances. We need to be listening for God’s voice, following Him, and obeying His Word. As His people, if we want to be prepared for His return, we need to be in constant communion with Him now, we cannot wait until it’s too late.
Psalm 102:1-17 (NLT)
A prayer of one overwhelmed with trouble, pouring out problems before the Lord.
1 Lord, hear my prayer!
Listen to my plea!
2 Don’t turn away from me
in my time of distress.
Bend down to listen,
and answer me quickly when I call to you.
3 For my days disappear like smoke,
and my bones burn like red-hot coals.
4 My heart is sick, withered like grass,
and I have lost my appetite.
5 Because of my groaning,
I am reduced to skin and bones.
6 I am like an owl in the desert,
like a little owl in a far-off wilderness.
7 I lie awake,
lonely as a solitary bird on the roof.
8 My enemies taunt me day after day.
They mock and curse me.
9 I eat ashes for food.
My tears run down into my drink
10 because of your anger and wrath.
For you have picked me up and thrown me out.
11 My life passes as swiftly as the evening shadows.
I am withering away like grass.
12 But you, O Lord, will sit on your throne forever.
Your fame will endure to every generation.
13 You will arise and have mercy on Jerusalem —
and now is the time to pity her,
now is the time you promised to help.
14 For your people love every stone in her walls
and cherish even the dust in her streets.
15 Then the nations will tremble before the Lord.
The kings of the earth will tremble before his glory.
16 For the Lord will rebuild Jerusalem.
He will appear in his glory.
17 He will listen to the prayers of the destitute.
He will not reject their pleas.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You for never leaving my side. Holy Spirit, help to open my spiritual ears to hear from the Father and guide me with heavenly wisdom so I may keep on the narrow path that the Father has for me. I do not want to remain in places of despair, rather I want the joy of the Lord to rise up within me. I ask all of this in Your Holy Name, Jesus. Amen.