Devotion - Is It Really a “New Normal”?
All this week our devotions are from members of the West Side family. Since we are separated during this time, and you are hearing a good deal from me as your pastor but less, perhaps, from one another, it's a gift to hear and join in how others in our fellowship are walking with Jesus during this time.
Today’s devotion is from Mark Koelling. Mark is a current Elder. He is enjoying retirement with volunteer teaching, reading and writing, catching up with family and friends, and being a grandfather to Rylen.
Job 7 Job 10 Job 38-42 Hebrews 13:5 John 14:27
The terms “new normal” and “new reality” dot our current conversations. And well they should. We are experiencing the biggest disruptions to our lives that most all of us have faced. Certainly, for children, and for most adults, outside of personal loss. People trying to get to doctors and care facilities, to deal with concerns and care for loved ones at long distance, to travel or work from home, to manage our homes and families, to reduce our anxieties from the onslaught of media medical statistics, and heaven forbid, trying to live without sports. And well we should have concerns. We are human.
But consider for a moment what God sees, beyond our immediate vision. He has seen all epidemics and pandemics. He has seen all local wars, civil wars, and global wars. He has seen all the injustices of witch hunts, inquisitions, and wars wrongly waged in His name.
Job had limited vision also. In his misery, he passionately lamented his state of life to the Lord.
In Job 7:1 we read – “Do not mortals have hard service on earth;” in Verse 3, “so I have been allotted months of futility;” and in Verse 20, “If I have sinned, what have I done to you?” In Chapter 10, Verse 4, Job bitterly continues as he says “Do you have eyes of flesh? Do you see as a mortal sees?”
Does this sound like you? Like me?
And then in Chapters 38 to 41, the Lord speaks to Job in no uncertain terms, telling him of all of His brilliance in laying out His plans. And in the process rebukes Job, as in Chapter 38, Verse 2 – “Who is this who obscures my plans with words without knowledge?” And in Verse 4 – “Where were you when I laid the earth’s foundation?”
It’s as if the Lord is saying - yep... been there... done that... have seen that... same ol... same ol... this is not a “new normal” from my view... it’s more of a “normal.”
BUT... in Jesus Christ we are offered relief, peace, and comfort. In Hebrews 13:5 – Never will I leave you, never will I forsake you.” And in John 14:27, we read “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give to you.”
Again, it’s as if He’s gently saying to us - but listen children... I know life is hard... please see with My eyes... and put them into your hearts... I’ve got news for you... I WILL COME INTO YOU... AND I WILL NEVER LEAVE YOU.
Today’s devotion is from Mark Koelling. Mark is a current Elder. He is enjoying retirement with volunteer teaching, reading and writing, catching up with family and friends, and being a grandfather to Rylen.
Job 7 Job 10 Job 38-42 Hebrews 13:5 John 14:27
The terms “new normal” and “new reality” dot our current conversations. And well they should. We are experiencing the biggest disruptions to our lives that most all of us have faced. Certainly, for children, and for most adults, outside of personal loss. People trying to get to doctors and care facilities, to deal with concerns and care for loved ones at long distance, to travel or work from home, to manage our homes and families, to reduce our anxieties from the onslaught of media medical statistics, and heaven forbid, trying to live without sports. And well we should have concerns. We are human.
But consider for a moment what God sees, beyond our immediate vision. He has seen all epidemics and pandemics. He has seen all local wars, civil wars, and global wars. He has seen all the injustices of witch hunts, inquisitions, and wars wrongly waged in His name.
Job had limited vision also. In his misery, he passionately lamented his state of life to the Lord.
In Job 7:1 we read – “Do not mortals have hard service on earth;” in Verse 3, “so I have been allotted months of futility;” and in Verse 20, “If I have sinned, what have I done to you?” In Chapter 10, Verse 4, Job bitterly continues as he says “Do you have eyes of flesh? Do you see as a mortal sees?”
Does this sound like you? Like me?
And then in Chapters 38 to 41, the Lord speaks to Job in no uncertain terms, telling him of all of His brilliance in laying out His plans. And in the process rebukes Job, as in Chapter 38, Verse 2 – “Who is this who obscures my plans with words without knowledge?” And in Verse 4 – “Where were you when I laid the earth’s foundation?”
It’s as if the Lord is saying - yep... been there... done that... have seen that... same ol... same ol... this is not a “new normal” from my view... it’s more of a “normal.”
BUT... in Jesus Christ we are offered relief, peace, and comfort. In Hebrews 13:5 – Never will I leave you, never will I forsake you.” And in John 14:27, we read “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give to you.”
Again, it’s as if He’s gently saying to us - but listen children... I know life is hard... please see with My eyes... and put them into your hearts... I’ve got news for you... I WILL COME INTO YOU... AND I WILL NEVER LEAVE YOU.
Posted in Devotions