Daily devotional, May 04, 2024 Asalto
"Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits,who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases,who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy,who satisfies you with goodso that your youth is renewed like the eagle's." Psalm 103:2-5
“Asalto” is a Spanish word that means unforeseen, brutal attack against enemy forces. It is much like the word “assault.” In the Philippines though, it is used in a more positive note, specifically as a surprise party for someone celebrating his birthday.
As followers of Jesus, we worship a God who is so gracious and loving that He is often a God of surprises. He delights in making His people happy, much like a father wanting to give only the best to His children.
"Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever."
Ephesians 3:20-21
Like children looking forward to a surprise from his parents, we should also be willing to wait on the Lord. We should remain unwavering on our faith. We should remain joyful despite challenging circumstances, pinning our hopes on the one true God that knows everything that happens to us, as He was the one who planned out our lives.
"Blessed is the man who fears the Lord, who greatly delights in his commandments His offspring will be mighty in the land; the generation of the upright will be blessed.Wealth and riches are in his house, and his righteousness endures forever."
Psalm 112:1-3
In the Old Testament, there are wonderful stories of people who have been pleasantly surprised by the overflowing goodness of the Lord. While they believe that the Lord is always gracious and abounding in love and mercy, their surrendering to His divine will made God’s blessing to them bigger and more precious than they could ever imagine.
For instance, Naomi, who lost her husband and two sons, had no other children nor grandchildren, almost conceded to a life of bitterness. She came back to her hometown to seek the God she turned away from. After many years, she was again blessed with a family, and not just a family — her new grandchild became the ancestor of the great King David, from whom the line of the Messiah rooted from.
"Then the women said to Naomi, “Blessed be the Lord, who has not left you this day without a redeemer, and may his name be renowned in Israel! He shall be to you a restorer of life and a nourisher of your old age, for your daughter-in-law who loves you, who is more to you than seven sons, has given birth to him.”
Ruth 4:14-15
Another lovely story of God-given surprises was that of Ruth, Naomi’s hardworking and loyal daughter-in-law. She already accepted her fate of being widowed at a young age, and decided to accompany her mother-in-law Ruth and join her in seeking the God of Israel. She worked hard and served her mother-in-law, until she came to the attention of a godly and prosperous Man named Boaz, who married her. They started a family, and as mentioned above, their firstborn is one of the ancestors of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
"And he said, “May you be blessed by the Lord, my daughter. You have made this last kindness greater than the first in that you have not gone after young men, whether poor or rich. And now, my daughter, do not fear. I will do for you all that you ask, for all my fellow townsmen know that you are a worthy woman."
Ruth 3:10-11
And while the common theme of the two above-mentioned stories is that both started on a sorrowful note, the Lord showed in the lives of the two women that if we decide to seek and love Him, and be faithful in what He asked us to do, He will bless us beyond our imagination.
"Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you, declares the Lord, and I will restore your fortunes and gather you from all the nations and all the places where I have driven you, declares the Lord, and I will bring you back to the place from which I sent you into exile." Jeremiah 29:12-14
You see, we can never outgive the Lord our God. If we surrender our lives to Him, by offering Him our time, treasure, talent, and walk in His ways, He will prosper us. And while this may not always mean financial blessing, it will mean blessings that only He can give. This could mean steadfast love, abounding mercy, guidance, joy that transcends circumstances, and more importantly the peace that transcends understanding.
"Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. And thereby put me to the test, says the Lord of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need."
Malachi 3:10
Thank you for reading through our devotional today. I invite you to ponder on Ruth Chapter 4 and Psalm 103:1-15 to dig deeper on today’s topic.
Reflection Question: How did God surprise you recently?
Conversation with the Lord: Almighty God, thank you for being a God of heavenly surprises. Thank you for blessing me beyond my expectations. For loving me even during the times I am unlovable, and forgiving me and giving me a new life. Keep me under your wings Oh God, and wrap me in your love forever. Amen.