Chet Bandy

Blessed to be a Blessing

Today’s reading is Deuteronomy 19-22, Psalm 6, and Luke 10.

Within Luke 10 we read the famous parable Jesus told of the Good Samaritan. A man had been beaten badly and robbed on the road from Jerusalem to Jericho. In fact, it says in Luke 10:30 he was “half dead.” Both a priest and a Levite passed by him. However, a Samaritan stopped and gave him medical care, paid for a hotel for him to stay overnight to heal, and even told the hotel keeper that if he needs more help, I’ll give you more money when I come back. Why was this such a big deal? Well Samaritans were from the former Northern Kingdom of Israel, and they bred with the Assyrians who were gentile and as a result followed some different religious practices. In fact, Jews would rather cross the Jordan than have to travel through Samaria. They were considered “unclean,” and Jews would not expect these good actions from a Samaritan.

Jesus is underscoring here that a person’s heart and actions are what matters, not their background, position, or title. And those who sometimes have the title or background, are just playing a part without the actual heart. And those who may come from different backgrounds or have no status, actually have the heart. The old saying goes, you can’t judge a book by it’s cover. Many of you remember the NBA’s bad boy Dennis Rodman, his rap sheet is pretty long, However, I recently read a story that when he was with the Chicago Bulls. he would buy out Toys ‘R Us and deliver them to the children’s hospital in Boston when the Bulls played the Celtics without allowing any cameras or reporters. Not many would expect this from him, especially with no fanfare. We hear this and yet regularly we hear of religious and political leaders doing shady things.

My oldest son is 11. I recently shared with him that one way to tell the quality of a person such as maybe a girl he may like is to see how they treat those who can’t give them anything in return or someone in the service industry who they may be only interacting with one time like a waiter/waitress or someone serving them at the drive-thru. Are they your “friend” because they genuinely like you and are a good person, or because they feel they can personally benefit from a relationship with you?

Many of us build relationships with team members, bosses, and potential clients and we go out of our way to do something nice or special for them. There is nothing wrong with this if our heart and motivation is pure. It is good for us to reflect though if we also go out of our way to help others who we can’t get anything in return from or may never see again.

While I think it’s often best that the love of Jesus comes out of our heart in unplanned ways, here are 2 ideas I’ve heard of that I like with the 1^st being one I do spontaneously and the 2^nd now every time I stay in a hotel.

When going out to dinner and you have good service, leave a larger than normal tip to bless the server and write http://beentippedover.com on the receipt so they know they are appreciated and God tugged on your heart to do a little more for them.
When you stay in the hotel, leave a tip on your last day for the housekeeper and note thanking them with a Bible verse. I know I never dreamed of leaving a tip for the housekeeper in the past, but once I heard this idea I couldn’t believe I hadn’t previously since this has to be one of the most undesirable jobs in my mind. It’s a great way to thank them and let them know they are appreciated.

You never know what kind of tough day your server or housekeeper may be having and how this may change how they feel and most importantly even point them to Jesus as a source of peace and comfort which we all need.

I must say once I had an awareness, these 2 examples and even giving money to a beggar and telling them I’ll pray for them is somewhat quick and easy for me. I know my bigger opportunity now is to take next steps with those in need where it might be appropriate for me to invest more time in going deeper to build a relationship within one interaction or even greater, being willing to build a relationship which will go on beyond that single interaction.

What about you? Where is your opportunity to show the love of Jesus in your heart to others?

Complaining

Today’s reading is Numbers 20-21 and Colossians 4.

In our Old Testament reading of Numbers, we continue to follow the Israelites on their journey from Egypt to the Promised Land as they wander in the desert. Today we specifically read about some the grumbling and complaints they had.

⁴Why have you brought the assembly of the Lord into this wilderness, that we should die here, both we and our cattle? ⁵And why have you made us come up out of Egypt to bring us to this evil place? It is no place for grain or figs or vines or pomegranates, and there is no water to drink.”

Numbers 20:4-5

⁴From Mount Hor they set out by the way to the Red Sea, to go around the land of Edom. And the people became impatient on the way. ⁵And the people spoke against God and against Moses, “Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? For there is no food and no water, and we loathe this worthless food.”

Numbers 21:4-5

Isn’t this amazing how they would grumble and complain after God freed them from slavery exactly like they wanted and prayed for? We not only can assume they wanted to be free, but we know it from this verse in Exodus.

²³During those many days the king of Egypt died, and the people of Israel groaned because of their slavery and cried out for help. Their cry for rescue from slavery came up to God.

Exodus 2:23

We also know that not only had God freed them, but he also provided manna and quail for them to eat so they would not starve and led them with a cloud during the day and fire by night, Yet, what did they do…complain!

As we judge them, we can start to look at our own lives and realize we complain about many of the things we have wanted, dreamed of, and even specifically asked God for. What are some examples of this?

The job we wanted which is now crazy stressful and busy
The children we always wanted and maybe even had trouble having that are now causing us headaches or maybe they are even really great children but we just complain about the busyness and that they are expensive
The house we wanted and prayed for that stuff is always breaking making it a money pit
The sports team we wanted our child to be on so badly and now we complain about the coach

I could go on and on, but you get the point. We now complain about not only things others who are less fortunate would love to have, but the things we specifically wanted and maybe even prayed for which we now have…just like the Israelites.

We know God does not like any sin, but I must believe us complaining, and even just not being grateful, for something we’ve wanted and prayed asking him for has to be particularly unpleasing to Him. Those of us who are parents can probably relate when our kids beg us for a certain food/meal and then don’t like it or they beg to stay up past their bedtime and you let them and they still get angry and complain when it is finally time to go to bed. We even see specifically God’s displeasure because we read he had snakes come into the camp which bit people.

⁶Then the Lord sent fiery serpents among the people, and they bit the people, so that many people of Israel.

Numbers 21:7

God quickly sent a way out though in allowing them to look at Moses’s bronze serpent on a pole and be healed. Thankfully for you and me he sent a perfect way out from our sin and a Savior in Jesus and there is now no condemnation for believers of Him (Romans 8:1).

What can we do to limit our grumbling and complaining to God?

Focus on things we are thankful for during prayer
Write down each morning 3 things you are grateful for
Start a prayer journal so you can even look back at all the prayers God has answered

Doing these things will not only be pleasing to God by limiting our complaints, but will also help us live life with joy and peace in gratitude for what we do have and what God has done and provided. And God receives the ultimate pleasure and joy when we believe in Jesus’ saving grace on the cross which will also in turn cause us to have the ultimate gratitude and joy and peace as well.

A Better Order

Today’s reading is Leviticus 19-20 and Hebrews 7.

I listen to a podcast my company publishes and a gentleman who is commonly on there likes to say, “I’m a fan of interesting things.” For me, I would put our reading today in Hebrews 7 about Melchizedek in the category of ‘interesting things.’ We first learn about Melchizedek in Genesis 14:17-20 when Abraham meets him and gives him one tenth of everything after winning a big victory in battle to rescue his nephew Lot and the people of Sodom. If you are like me, you may have read this in Genesis before and not really understood the significance of this King Melchizedek and who he was. We find out later in Psalm 110:4 that the Messiah will come from his order (or pattern) and in our reading today in Hebrews 7 we learn about some of the uniqueness of Melchizedek. The timing of this assigned chapter in Hebrews to me for this post is also interesting since our small group is currently reading Learn the Bible in 24 Hours by Chuck Missler where he discusses this topic and where I received some of my information. I was not familiar with this previously and found it particularly fascinating when it was covered in his book.

What is so unique about Melchizedek? We are told in Genesis 14:17-20 that he is both a king and a priest. That may not mean much to most of us, but it does to Bible scholars and others with great biblical knowledge. Centuries later Jewish priests came from tribe of Levi and the order of Aaron. They were not kings. One was never both a priest and a king. We know from the Old Testament the Messiah and king would come from the tribe of Judah in Genesis 49:10 and then later in Revelation 5:5. But, Melchizedek was both the king of Salem and a priest which is unique. Psalm 110:4 tells us the Messiah will be “a priest forever after the order of Melchizedek.” The Messiah will be both our king and high priest.

The writer of Hebrews expands on this and its importance. He states Melchizedek, king of Salem from Genesis, has no ancestral line and is from eternal descent (Hebrews 7:3). Priests from the tribe of Levi or the order (pattern) of Aaron were born and died and while they took sacrifices for the atonement of their sins and their people’s sins, we are told here in Hebrews 7 this was imperfect and not sufficient because they were mortal. We needed a better atonement and covenant for the forgiveness of our sins from a Messiah who was not from a mortal order (pattern) of Levi/Aaron, but from the eternal order (pattern) of Melchizedek. This is described throughout Hebrews 7, but you can look particularly at Hebrews 7:21-24 and Hebrews 7:26-30.

I mentioned early I would put this in the category of ‘interesting things.’ Remember that Jerusalem did not exist when Abraham lived, but most scholars agree Salem, where Melchizedek was king, is now Jerusalem and the valley of Shaveh where they had this encounter is right next to Jerusalem. I did not find this highlighted in any of my research, but personally I find it interesting that Melchizedek brought Abraham bread and wine (Genesis 4:18) which was later what Jesus would say was representative of his body and blood given on the cross in the Last Supper and Communion which we take as a reminder still today. Abraham also gave Melchizedek a tenth of everything (Genesis 4:20), even though a tithe, 1/10 of everything, was not mentioned until the law was given to Moses later in Leviticus 27:30.

As we close this learning about the order of Melchizedek out, it is important that we underscore again what the author of Hebrews wanted us to know which my brother Chad highlighted in his post from Monday (https://www.biblejournal.net/2024/02/19/our-daily-walk/). Although Jesus was from the eternal order of Melchizedek, we know he came down to be with us as human and even as high priest we are told in Hebrews 4:14-15 He can sympathize and understands all the challenges and temptations we face. Yet, Jesus did not sin which makes him the perfect propitiation for our sins (1 John 2:1-2). For this, let us give thanks and celebrate Him today!

Living with Purpose

Today’s reading is Exodus 25-27, Psalm 90, and Philippians 1.

In our reading from Exodus we learn about God’s detailed instructions to Moses for the creation and construction of the Ark of the Covenant to hold the Ten Commandments, the Tabernacle, and related structures. We also read Psalm 90 which many to believe to be the oldest Psalm and the one given credit for being authored by Moses with 73 Psalms being credited to David, 12 to a musical director Asaph, and 12 to the sons of Korah with another approximately 50 being anonymous. To me this Psalm from Moses reads much like it could have come from Ecclesiastes where Solomon speaks about the vanity of life and the only true purpose and meaning is in God.

Yes, the Tabernacle is built, but Moses wants the people to know in Psalm 90:1, and he also states the same in his final words and blessings before his death to the tribe of Asher is Deuteronomy 33:27, that Lord is their true “dwelling place.” He has been with them all along. This is further established and is finalized with Christ’s crucifixion and Resurrection that we know that God now dwells with us and in our hearts. This is illustrated by the Temple curtain being torn when Jesus died (Matthew 27:51, Mark 15:38, Luke 23:45), signifying that there is no longer separation between God and man.

With this established that God is with us and even in us, the rest of Psalm 90 and Paul’s writing in Philippians 1 instruct us to make the most of our days and live for Him. A few years ago I developed my own personal purpose (or mission) statement which is “To impact others by helping them live life to the fullest.” The foundation of this comes from John 10:10. This challenges me to make the most of each day despite my circumstances and that life is not about me, but is instead about impacting others and glorifying Him through my words and actions which is not as easy as it sounds. I could not help but see a similar theme in Psalm 90 and Philippians 1.

Here are some of the verses that speak to this…

¹²So teach us to number our days
    that we may get a heart of wisdom.
¹³Return, O Lord! How long?
    Have pity on your servants!
¹⁴Satisfy us in the morning with your steadfast love,
    that we may rejoice and be glad all our days.
¹⁵Make us glad for as many days as you have afflicted us,
    and for as many years as we have seen evil.
¹⁶Let your work be shown to your servants,
    and your glorious power to their children.
¹⁷Let the favor^[a] of the Lord our God be upon us,
    and establish the work of our hands upon us;
    yes, establish the work of our hands!

Psalm 90:12-17

⁹And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, ¹⁰so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, ¹¹filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.

Philippians 1:9-11

²⁰as it is my eager expectation and hope that I will not be at all ashamed, but that with full courage now as always Christ will be honored in my body, whether by life or by death. ²¹For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. ²²If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me. Yet which I shall choose I cannot tell.

Philippians 1:20-22

He should and will be glorified through whatever our circumstances may be. Not only are we to accept this, but we are to embrace and want Him to be glorified through whatever hardships we are going through. This is not easy, and we must remind ourselves each day that life is not about us and our individual wants and desires…it’s about the impact we can have on others for His glory. And through those hardships and challenges let us trust in Him and remember what Paul tells us in Philippians 1:6

⁶And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.

Philippians 1:6

Just like the Tabernacle and the Ark of the Covenant, and I would say very much more so, He created us with thought and purpose for this reason.

¹⁰For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

Ephesians 2:10

Freshness

Today’s readings are Genesis 47-48, Psalm 25, and Galatians 3.

While the new year starting can sometimes bring anxiety about what the coming year may hold, most of us get excited about the calendar turning over and the opportunity to hit the reset button on some things in our life. This year will be better we believe…better discipline on our workouts and diet, sticking to our budget, new business goals we plan to accomplish, being in the Word more, and an increased focus on our blessings and living with gratitude to name a few. So now that we are just over 3 weeks in…how are you doing?

Personally, I would say there has been some good and some bad for me, but in transparency I’ve failed in my patience, and I’ve been a little short tempered at times with those I love the most. I feel terrible about it. While many may say my actions have been very minor and just a quick overreaction, it makes my heart ache that I have caused hurt in any way…even if for just a moment…to those I love the most. I’ve asked for forgiveness similar to what we read in Psalm 25 in prayer and have apologized to Shannon and promised to do better. Why I have been this way? I don’t know..I wish I could say. I have so much to be grateful and happy for.

Reading Galatians 3 today makes thankful and is a good reminder that we are justified and saved by our faith, not the Law or our works. I want to do better, and I must do better..but I’m not perfect and am destined to fail again…if not in this way…then in another way.

For all who rely on works of the law are under a curse; for it is written, “Cursed be everyone who does not abide by all things written in the Book of the Law and do them.”

Galatians 3:10

No one is capable of doing “all things” of the Law and not making a mistake as we are also told in Romans 3:23. But we can be grateful for more clarity on how we justified in the following verses in Galatians 3.

Now it is evident that no one is justified before God by the law, for “The righteous shall live by faith.”

Galatians 3:11

And then a few verses later..

Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us- for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree-“

Galatians 3:13

We are fully redeemed and can be with God when our life here on Earth ends because of what Jesus did for you and for me. He took on the curse of death that should have been mine and yours.

Does this give us an excuse to sin and do what we want? No..absolutely not. We are told in Romans 8:9 and 1 Corinthians 6:19 that the Holy Spirit is in us when we believe.

This year I’m reading through the devotional My Utmost for His Highest by Oswald Chambers. On January 20^th it reads the following, “Freshness is not the result of obedience; it comes from the Holy Spirit. Obedience keeps us ‘in the light as He is in the light’ (1 John 1:7).” A little bit later it also reads, “Being born of the Spirit means much more than we usually think. It gives us new vision and keeps us absolutely fresh for everything through the never-ending supply of the life of God.”

This serves as a reminder for me, and I hope for some reading this, to stay close to Him so that we can find forgiveness, peace, joy, life, and “freshness” from the Holy Spirit who lives in us to start over today and everyday…regardless of what we’ve done or what day it is on the calendar.

Anger

Today’s readings are Genesis 24-25, Psalm 4, and Mark 9.

Is it a sin to be angry?

We know Jesus was angry and turned of the tables of the money changers and those selling pigeons in the temple in Matthew 21:12-13, yet we know Jesus was also without sin (1 Peter 2:22, 2 Corinthians 5:21, 1 John 3:5). When we are angry, we can be quick to sin with foul language in our disgust. We also live in a world today where we think we need to take action right away. Many first take to social media. The amount of anger and negative energy on social media is astounding. Or we go to gossiping and talking about others behind their back. Even worse yet is resorting to some sort of physical violence due to our anger.

In contrast, Psalm 4 gives us direction on how we are to handle our anger…

Be angry, and do not sin;

ponder in your own hearts on

your bed, and be silent.

Psalm 4:4

This is clear that we are to control our emotions and refrain from taking sinful action. Psalm 4:5 then directs to…

Offer right sacrifices

and put your trust in the Lord.

Wait..what? Trusting in the Lord to make right what we think is wrong is tough enough, but we’re supposed bring Him sacrifices? Instead of taking action with sin…God wants us to take action by not just saying we trust Him, but through showing that trust by giving to Him.

What happens when we do so? Psalm 4:7 tells us He will put more joy in our heart than others have when their grain and wine are plentiful. Peace and joy are not found in righting wrongs with actions from our anger. Peace and joy are found when our confidence and faith is placed in the Lord.

In peace I will both lie down

and sleep;

for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.

Psalm 4:8

Control

Today’s readings are Job 37-39, Psalm 103, and Revelation 21.

Control.

Control is something we all want all the time..especially around Christmas. We want everything to be perfect… the travel, the outfit, the meal, the service, the gift, the time with family. The list could go on and on. We also want control of other areas of our lives…our careers, our relationships, our health, the actions of others, finances.

The saying goes..”control is an illusion.” If we think of some of the greatest leaders the world is ever known, it is very apparent even they were not fully in control. They were not in control before and after their lifetime and not even during their lifetime. God reminds us in Job 38 and 39 that He is fully in control of everything..including creation and nature. He laid the foundations of the earth (Job 38:4-7). He controls day and night (Job 38:12) and the rains (Job 38:34) just to name a few. He reminds us that we need to humble ourselves and be without conceit because even the most powerful human being’s control is extremely minute.

Psalm 103:19 reads…

The Lord has established his

throne in the heavens,

and His kingdom rules over all.

Did you catch that? He “rules over all” which means Earth. He is in control. Let us trust Him with all that is going on and with our lives and those we love.

Most importantly, He does not deal with us according to our sins. Psalm 103:8-12 tells us some characteristics about Him.

He is…..

merciful
gracious
slow to anger
abounding in steadfast love

He also…

does not deal with us according to our iniquities (sins)
does not repay us for our sins (see Romans 8:1 as well)
has steadfast love towards those who fear Him
removes our sins as far as the east is from the west

Reading these just makes me simply say, “WOW!” If we truly believe these things to be true, and we remind ourselves of these on a regular basis, this should bring us peace and joy.

How do we know these things to be true?

We will celebrate in just a few more days the birth of His Son just over 2,000 years ago who was God in the flesh. Jesus’ actions while here on Earth showed us firsthand that this is who God is….taking it so far as humble himself and die on the cross for you and for me where He left no question that He forgives our sins as Psalm 103:12 states. He then conquered death through His Resurrection so that we will someday do the same.

Let us consider reading Psalm 103 and Revelation 21:4 on a regular basis in 2024 as a source of comfort, peace, strength, and hope.

⁴He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”

Revelation 21:4

Have a blessed Christmas and 2024.

Thy Will Be Done

Today’s reading is Job 4-7, Psalm 99, and Revelation 11.

I am someone who writes in my Bible. There are many times I’m thankful I do because it allows me to be reminded of a takeaway I had in the past or something a pastor said which impactful related to verses or a chapter. When reading Revelation 11, I had underlined in the past the last part of Revelation 11:15 and written down next to it, “Matthew 6:10.”

¹⁵Then the seventh angel blew his trumpet, and there were loud voices in heaven, saying, “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he shall reign forever and ever.”

Revelation 11:15

When I flipped back in my Bible to Matthew 6..I found Matthew 6:10 is part of the Lord’s Prayer and reads….

¹⁰Your kingdom come,
your will be done,^[a]
on earth as it is in heaven.

Matthew 6:10

When I say the Lord’s Prayer, I think of this part in the context of that I’m wanting and asking Him for His will to be done. However, when I read Revelation 11:15 and I say the Lord’s Prayer with it in mind…I’m reminded this part could really be said in the context of a statement. It is not necessarily asking, but a reminder that is what actually will happen. He’s in control. “His will” in fact will happen. And He will in fact make Earth as it is in Heaven. As I say the Lord Prayer the next time, it can remind me to go forth with my day in confidence and faith. I don’t have to be nervous or wonder about the future at all. He wins. It’s for certain. This can give us a peace that passes human understanding to live life differently.

Spoiler Alert

Our readings for today are Esther 1-2, Psalm 139, and Revelation 1.

What are you thankful for today on Thanksgiving?

As I reflect on our assigned readings for today, one quote or statement I’ve heard before comes to mind.

“I don’t know what the future holds, but I know who holds it.”

Today, on Thanksgiving, this is one of the many things we can focus on and be grateful for.

Psalm 139 is a chapter commonly referenced in support of the sanctity of human life at conception, not just after birth. Psalm 139:13-15 speaks of God knowing us while we are in the womb. Then, in verse 139:16, this is taken a step further…

¹⁶Your eyes saw my unformed substance;
in your book were written, every one of them,
the days that were formed for me,
when as yet there was none of them.

Not only do these verses tell us God made us thoughtfully and purposefully, but He already knows our future. How? It hasn’t yet occurred.

Our small group is currently reading, Learn The Bible in 24 Hours, by Dr. Chuck Missler. In his book, Dr. Missler describes that for us life is a sequence of linear events. But, God is outside of the dimension of time so He can see the past, present and future. This is very hard for our human mind to comprehend. The way he describes it is that if you were sitting on curb watching a parade, you would experience and see each part of the parade as it goes by. But someone who is in a helicopter can see the beginning, the middle, and the end of the parade…all at the same time.

Our assigned reading in Revelation 1 speaks to this in verse 8…

⁸“I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.”

This verse tells us He not only is the beginning and end…but He “was and is to come.” He has seen it all before it happens.

A few other verses speak to this. First, Isaiah 57:15 reads…

¹⁵For thus says the One who is high and lifted up,
who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy:
“I dwell in the high and holy place,
and also with him who is of a contrite and lowly spirit,
to revive the spirit of the lowly,
and to revive the heart of the contrite.

This tells us He lives in eternity and can see it all.

Another verse is Isaiah 46:10…

¹⁰declaring the end from the beginning
and from ancient times things not yet done,
saying, ‘My counsel shall stand,
and I will accomplish all my purpose,’

He tells us here that He knows the beginning and the end and things “not yet done.”

I don’t know what things are going to happen in this world as we see social conflict and physical conflict all the time, with some very serious conflict going on right now in Israel and Ukraine. What I do know is these verses tell us He will accomplish His purpose (Isaiah 46:10), and I know the rest of the book of Revelation tells us He wins, and all pain and sadness will cease to exist (Revelation 21:4).

We also know He cares for us, and He’s with us as we go. The end of Isaiah 57:15 tells us He will “revive the spirit of the lowly,” and He will “revive the heart of the contrite.” Reading the entire chapter of Psalm 139 tells us how much He cares for us and the life He created in and for us. He tells us in Psalm 46:10 to “Be still and know that I am God.”

Please consider reading the entire book of Esther as we go through it in the upcoming days as yet another example of God’s perfect plan.

Today, let us give thanks for God’s plan and His ultimate and certain victory over Satan, sin, and death.

Where Do You Go?

Today’s readings are Daniel 7-9, Psalm 91, and John 19.

We read in John 19 where the people denied Jesus was their king, and they wanted Him to be crucified (John 19:6-7, John 19:15). Just one week earlier in John 12, Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey and the people shouted in John 12:13, “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, even the King of Israel!” What a difference one week can make! Even back then without traditional media or social media..the rise and fall from the top can happen quickly, and even for the Son of God. Today, we see this all the time. Coaches win a couple championships and are treated like a king until they have a couple bad years and suddenly everyone thinks he can’t coach anymore. A quarterback wins a Super Bowl or two, but then he has a tough year and everyone says he’s washed up and is calling for last year’s draft pick to take over. An actress makes a lot of great movies, but then has a bad one or two and suddenly she’s lost it and people are saying she has a troubled marriage and troubled kids, whether it’s true or not.

You and I may not be in the national or international public spotlight, but we can likely relate in some way. You were a top athlete in high school and then you go to college and you no longer play sports and you are just one of forty thousand other “regular students.” You were the rising young star in your company and now you seem to have peaked in your position, they’ve moved on the next possible future CEO, or worse yet were let go from the company. You had what you hoped would be the perfect marriage, but it didn’t work out and now the rumor mill is swirling with mistruths about what happened. Many will experience a time in the spotlight or a time when things were going well that changes in one way or another. It could just be from retirement. People either aren’t telling you how great you are any more, or even worse, they are turning against you and gossiping mistruths.

I love pairing these verses with the other part of our reading today, Psalm 91. Please take a few minutes to read this quick chapter.

Here are the first twelve verses.

91 He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High
will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.
²I will say^[a] to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress,
my God, in whom I trust.”

³For he will deliver you from the snare of the fowler
and from the deadly pestilence.
⁴He will cover you with his pinions,
and under his wings you will find refuge;
his faithfulness is a shield and buckler.
⁵You will not fear the terror of the night,
nor the arrow that flies by day,
⁶nor the pestilence that stalks in darkness,
nor the destruction that wastes at noonday.

⁷A thousand may fall at your side,
ten thousand at your right hand,
but it will not come near you.
⁸You will only look with your eyes
and see the recompense of the wicked.

⁹Because you have made the Lord your dwelling place—
the Most High, who is my refuge^[a]—
¹⁰no evil shall be allowed to befall you,
no plague come near your tent.

¹¹For he will command his angels concerning you
to guard you in all your ways.
¹²On their hands they will bear you up,
lest you strike your foot against a stone.

My question for you today is, where do you go? Where is your shelter? If you are in your prime so to speak and things are going great, is your affirmation from the social media “likes” or the “atta boy” and “atta girls” you are getting in emails and at the last company meeting? Please take caution and prepare yourself that you won’t be at the top forever because things will change, if not due to unfortunate circumstances, then due to age or time. We must go to Him and His word now for affirmation, even before it seems necessary. If you are reading this and you have been at the top, but now you are not..where are you going for shelter and comfort from all the noise? Are you going to drugs or alcohol? Are you going to a bad relationship? Or are you still trying get affirmation from all the social media “likes” and followers? All of these medicines to treat or mask the pain will be temporary. Ephesians 6:12 tells us we are fighting against spiritual forces, not powers of this world. However, we read Psalm 91:11 tells us when we take shelter in Him, “He will command His angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways.” How cool is that?!

Let us seek our refuge in Him and Him alone. And let those of us who have children teach them to do the same.