October | 2020 | Devotions By Jan

Scripture for Today: II Corinthians 4:16 “Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.”

What a bizarre premise to this 1890 fictional work of Oscar Wilde! The Picture of Dorian Gray relates the story of Dorian who wishes that his painted image would age instead of himself. That way he could follow his hedonistic world view and spend his life chasing pleasure. With every selfish act his image got older and uglier but he himself remained ageless! And as you can imagine, the story does not end well!

This story reminded me of today’s verse. Outwardly and with enough time, we are all wasting away. We do what we can to minimize the effects of age, but eventually we look more and more beat up! Our bodies break down but that does not have to be true for the inside. What is seen in the mirror is only temporary but the renewal that is taking place on the inside is eternal. (verse 18)

Life is so often filled with hardship and struggle. Like Paul I may feel that I am “hard pressed on every side” (verse 8) but that does not mean I give in to despair. I may feel crushed by the weight of my trials but I have hope. I do not want to lose heart because God is using every negative in my life to create a lasting and eternal beauty on the inside. Within I am becoming more mature as I respond to the Lord in faith and perseverance. I can be confident that God is using it all to make me more like His Son.

Thank you Lord for this hope! Keep me focused on what You are accomplishing on the inside.

Scripture for Today: Psalm 119:164-165 “Seven times a day I praise You for Your righteous Laws. Great peace have they who love Your Law, and nothing can make them stumble.”

How strange to see these seven pillars standing tall outside of Las Vegas, Nevada! Their brightly painted colors are in stark contrast with the plain brown desert. These seven pillars, called the Seven Magic Mountains, were built by a Swiss artist as a public art project. They are 30-35 feet tall and each of the thirty three boulders weigh 10-25 tons each! Perhaps there are seven of them as this number is considered lucky. But in Scripture, the number seven represents completion or perfection.

In today’s verse David does not use the number seven literally. David mentions praying three times a day in Psalm 55:17. In fact, David writes that His praise shall continually be in his mouth (Psalm 34:1). He uses the number seven here to express a desire to worship the Lord perfectly, or completely. In turning towards a holy and righteous God, David is showing a special care in his devotion. His praise is specific; for God’s Law. He recognizes the stability His Law gives to life. In following God’s righteous way, one will not stumble as the wicked do whenever calamity strikes (Prov. 24:16). David praises God for the great peace that comes from being obedient. He knew the difference. He experienced first hand the agony and awful consequences of breaking God’s Law.

What a beautiful and worthy subject of praise! God’s Law gives stability and direction to my life. It keeps me from stumbling. Following His Law gives me heart peace instead of guilt and confusion. Seven times a day is only the beginning of my praise and worship!

Lord, may I continually praise You today! You are worthy!