Daily devotional, August 06, 2024
The scoop
"Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need."
Hebrews 4:16
In journalism, one of the ways to determine the tenacity of a reporter in filing news stories is the number of times he has had an “exclusive story.” In the media industry, this means a “scoop” usually due to an exclusive, one-on-one interview with a much sought after source or newsmaker. For a reporter to file something like this, he must either be persistent, resourceful, and trustworthy — even to the most elusive news sources.
As Christians, we have access to the most high God, through our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. We can talk to Him, anytime we want, anywhere we want, for as long as we are one with Him.
"And He came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near. For through Him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father. So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God," Ephesians 2:17-19
Imagine, as followers of Jesus, we have an opportunity to talk to the King, who has made heaven and earth. Who has planned out everything in the universe, and knows what it is to come. We are promised a listening ear, an audience, simply because we are His children, and we endeavor to live a life of worship to Him.
"For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer, but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil."
1 Peter 3:12
In a practical sense, how do we get this audience from our Heavenly Father? How do we talk to Him when we want to? How do we hear Him speak to us? In the Gospel of Matthew, our Messiah, Lord Jesus Christ Himself, taught us how to communicate with Him:
"But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you."
Matthew 6:6
So how do we hear His answers? We have to train ourselves to listen to His voice. For instance, when we become really really quiet, have you noticed that we get to hear more of the sounds in our environment? We get to hear birds, we get to hear other people talking, we even get to hear the rustling of leaves.
In the same way, when we are still, we get to hear our Savior talking to us. If we only try doing what is in the above passage, we will more or less get to hear the Lord speaking to us — in our hearts and in our minds. When we take away all the distractions, be by ourselves, pray to God, and then spend time pondering His words by reading the Bible, we will realize that He is talking to us.
"The sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice."
John 10:3-4
When we meditate on what we have read as we go through our day, we will be surprised that God will sometimes talk to us through a praise song, through a bible verse, a sermon, or even through a godly friend. God’s words are alive!
“For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.”
Hebrews 4:12
Apart from being living and active, the Lord is also honored when we seek His guidance in everything. When we spend time talking to Him about anything and everything in our lives. When we run to Him for wisdom to decide on both life changing and daily decisions we have to make.
The Bible tells us that the wisest man who has ever lived, King Solomon, prayed for wisdom from God. And because this was what he asked for, God was pleased and decided to give Him not just wisdom, but even the favors he did not even ask for.
"And God said to him, “Because you have asked this, and have not asked for yourself long life or riches or the life of your enemies, but have asked for yourself understanding to discern what is right, behold, I now do according to your word. Behold, I give you a wise and discerning mind, so that none like you has been before you and none like you shall arise after you.I give you also what you have not asked, both riches and honor, so that no other king shall compare with you, all your days. And if you will walk in my ways, keeping my statutes and my commandments, as your father David walked, then I will lengthen your days.”
1 Kings 2:11-14
It is the same thing with us Christians. We have received that same promise, that if we seek God first, He will not just guide us and fill our spiritual needs.
"But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you."
Matthew 6:33
Let us take full advantage of our all-access pass to our Lord and Savior. Let us make the most of His presence, and live a life of worship, fully surrendered to our one true King.
Thank you for reading through our devotional today. I invite you to ponder on 1 Kings 3:3-15 and Ephesians 2:14-22 to dig deeper on today’s topic.
Reflection Question: Do you enjoy the full access we have with God through Christ Jesus? Do you talk to Him everyday?
Conversation with the Lord: _Heavenly Father, thank you for Your presence in my life. Thank you for allowing me to draw near you, and for listening to what I have to say. Grant me the ability to be still before you, so I too, could know what you want to tell me. Thank you for the fellowship, love, and mercy. Amen.
