Posts
“Hanging
On”
By Susanne
Scheppmann
Key Verse:
Deuteronomy
32:46-47, “He said to them, "Take to heart all the words I have solemnly
declared to you this day, so that you may command your children to obey
carefully all the words of this law. They are not just idle words for you--they
are your life.’” (NIV)
Devotion:
Do
you ever feel like you are just barely hanging on in life? I do. Life
circumstances seem to keep me off balance on a regular basis. However,
yesterday I learned a lesson through bird watching.
I
sat mesmerized by a flock of small yellow finches that hung upside down from a
white mesh feeding sock. They clung to the feeder filled with minute seeds with
their tiny toes. With gravity defying agility, the birds continued to peck at
the seeds regardless of their topsy-turvy position.
Occasionally,
a strong gust of wind would shake the feeder. The birds ignored the swaying
earthquake of their restaurant and calmly continued to peck undisturbed. Then,
a new crisis developed. Large ungainly brown grackle birds began to dive-bomb
the finches. They attempted to knock the finches off the feeder. Nevertheless,
the finches just clung to the mesh by their tiny toes. They did not allow
themselves to be dislodged from their life sustaining nourishment—the
birdseed.
I
glanced down at my Bible and thought, “That’s my life giving food. Do I cling
to it when I find myself being thrown off balance with the challenges of life?”
Unfortunately, I have to admit I don’t always hold on to it when times become
difficult. It seems easier to just worry and fret over the day’s events instead
of trusting God and His Word. But today’s Key Verse clearly instructs us to
“Take to heart all the words I have solemnly declared . . . They are not just
idle words for you—they are your life.”
I
pondered these thoughts as I continued to watch the finches. Then the birds
illustrated another truth of hanging on to God’s Word. While the baby birds
struggled to hang on, the parents would take a few bites and then feed the
younger finches the seeds they held in their beaks. This enabled the fledglings
to concentrate on keeping their balance on the bird sock.
I
recalled how often Christians more mature than myself had offered me the truth
of God’s Word when a dilemma ruffled my walk of faith. Their patient support
and encouragement enabled me to learn to trust the hand of God.
So,
my feathered friends taught me two lessons. One is to hang on to the truth of
God’s Word no matter how much my life is rattled by difficulties. Moreover, not
only do I need to accept help from other’s whose walk of faith is further
along, but I should offer help to others who are swinging frantically on the
rope of difficulties.
My
friend, let’s agree together to hang on and to share God’s Word—for it is our
life.
Prayer:
Dear
Lord, I desire to hang on to Your Word. Make me hungry to read it each day so
that my strength is in You. Help me to share Your Word with others who are just
hanging on in difficult situations. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Application steps:
Read
Psalm 119. Highlight all the verses that refer to the benefits of God’s Word in
our life.
Refection points:
Do
I read my Bible on a regular basis for spiritual nutrition?
Do
I encourage others to hold onto God’s Word?
How
can I devote more time to study the Bible?
Power verses:
Colossians
3:16, “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one
another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with
gratitude in your hearts to God.” (NIV)
1
Thessalonians 2:13, “And we also thank God continually because, when you
received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the
word of men, but as it actually is, the word of God, which is at work in you
who believe.” (NIV)
2
Thessalonians 2:15, “So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the teachings we
passed on to you, whether by word of mouth or by letter.” (NIV)
© 2006 by Susanne Scheppmann. All rights reserved.
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