Liz’s Morning Devotional: Scripture selected from Upper Room
November 24, 2024
Psalm 46:1-11
1 God is our refuge and strength, a help always near in times of great trouble. 2 That’s why we won’t be afraid when the world falls apart, when the mountains crumble into the center of the sea, 3 when its waters roar and rage, when the mountains shake because of its surging waves. Selah 4 There is a river whose streams gladden God’s city, the holiest dwelling of the Most High. 5 God is in that city. It will never crumble. God will help it when morning dawns. 6 Nations roar; kingdoms crumble. God utters his voice; the earth melts. 7 The LORD of heavenly forces is with us! The God of Jacob is our place of safety. Selah 8 Come, see the LORD’s deeds, what devastation he has imposed on the earth 9 bringing wars to an end in every corner of the world, breaking the bow and shattering the spear, burning chariots with fire. 10 “That’s enough! Now know that I am God! I am exalted among all nations; I am exalted throughout the world!” 11 The LORD of heavenly forces is with us! The God of Jacob is our place of safety. Selah
Good Morning! Be still and know that God is with you!
Peace can be elusive, but finding it is worth the effort. Remember the routine where someone balances plates on sticks? This demonstrates the scientific principle of the gyroscopic effect. You must keep the sticks turning so the plates will spin. The plate will wobble and fall off if the stick turns too slow, so the frantic dance of the one who turns the stick begins.
When this demonstration begins, I am mesmerized by the spinning plates. Slowly, the plate master adds more sticks and more plates start spinning. There is a point where the enjoyment of watching this ends, and I begin to feel panic as the plates start to wobble. For a while, the operator seems to turn the slowing sticks just in time, but there is this sense of dread that one will surely fall.
Occasionally, I toss too many plates into the air, and they begin to wobble. I like to be busy, like the operator turning the sticks, but I know that if I start one too many plates spinning, one or more may come crashing down. Most of the time, I can accept my limitations and start retrieving the plates before they reach the critical point, but I still struggle with an occasional bout of pride that makes it hard to say “no.” The reason for exceeding my limitations is not so much about proving anything, but it is me saying “yes” to one more thing because I think I can help.
I do know and long for the peace that fills my soul when I sit down and spend time with God. I protect my morning solitude like a mama bear protects her cubs. No matter how many plates I might need to spin in a day, I must begin from a quiet, centered place or I will be unable to manage even one spinning plate.
Each night, even when one or more plate is wobbling, I spend time with God so that I find the peace that allows me to sleep.
Dear Lord, We are your children! Wow! Are you sure you want to claim us? We can be such a mess, but all we truly want is peace. Thanks for being there to help us manage to find your peace. Praise be to God! Thank you! In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen
Thought for the day: Trust in the presence of God.
Start and End with Peace! Pastor Liz
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