Daily devotional, Aug 1, 2024
By his feet
"Casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you."
1 Peter 5:7
One of the most endearing qualities of pet dogs is their willingness to stay by their owner’s feet. It is like their safe place. They nuzzle it, try to lay down by it, and just take comfort being next to it.
Veterinarians explain that these behavior usually mean three things: (1) the dog is showing affection towards its owner; (2) the dog is feeling anxious or fearful about something like for example fireworks, thunder, or if they are in an unfamiliar place; and, (3) they are just used to being by their owner’s feet because they know that if they are there they are likely to get their owner’s attention and love.
Like these loyal creatures, we too can find comfort at the feet of our master and King, Lord Jesus Christ. When we feel tired and weary, worried and anxious, all we have to do is sit by His feet and pour out our sentiments to Him. He is more than willing to listen to us.
"Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30
When we need to feel God’s presence and hear His guidance, all we need to do is hang out by His feet. We can tell Him about our day, our plans and our cares. We can ask for His guidance, and we can thank Him for everything He has done for us. We can even make our prayer requests.
"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
We should also not limit ourselves to going to Jesus’s feet only when we need something, or when we feel sad. We too could go and be by His feet to thank Him, praise, Him and worship Him. When we are happy, when things are doing great, when we are feeling fine, we should rejoice by His feet too!
"Great are the works of the Lord; they are pondered by all who delight in them. Glorious and majestic are His deeds, and His righteousness endures forever. He has caused His wonders to be remembered; the Lord is gracious and compassionate. He provides food for those who [reverently] fear Him; He remembers His covenant forever."
Psalm 111:2-5
In the Gospel of Luke, a sinful woman came by Jesus feet, and washed it with her tears. He dried it up using her long hair, unmindful of Jewish customs that a woman’s hair should not be bared in public. She showed her love for Jesus, she showed Him that she is trying to be close to Him, and would like to be near Him, and ask for his forgiveness for the sins she has committed. And Jesus appreciated her for it.
"Then turning toward the woman he said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave me no water for my feet, but she has wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. You gave me no kiss, but from the time I came in she has not ceased to kiss my feet. You did not anoint my head with oil, but she has anointed my feet with ointment. Therefore I tell you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven—for she loved much. But he who is forgiven little, loves little.”
Luke 7:44-47
May we take Jesus’ appreciation towards the sinful woman, as a personal invitation for us to be by His feet every single day. We can be by Jesus’ feet when we pray, we study His word alone or with others, and when we worship. We do not have to take anything with us except probably for our bibles, or whatever writing stuff we are used to having when we study His words.
He does not ask us to offer anything except for our contrite hearts, sincerity, and genuine faith that we come to Him because we honor Him as our personal Lord and Savior. We do not have to leave anything by His feet, except for our:
1. Regrets
2. Fears
3. Resentments
4. Anger toward ourselves and others
5. Unforgiveness
6. Negative feelings
7. Worries and anxieties
8. Grief and sadness
9. Sinful lifestyle
We should leave all these things by His feet, and allow His precious blood to cover these concerns so that we can be freed from it too. We should allow ourselves to enjoy fellowship with Jesus, as we bask in His presence. By His feet we will find peace that transcends understanding, joy that is unhindered by difficult circumstances, and guidance that is vital in our journey towards eternity with Him.
"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."
Philippians 4:6-7
Thank you for reading through our devotional today. I invite you to ponder on Luke 7:36-50 and Psalm 121to dig deeper on today’s topic.
Reflection Question: When was the last time you have been in the feet of Jesus?
Conversation with the Lord: _Lord Jesus Christ, thank you for strengthening me. For being the God of comfort and for loving us unconditionally. May I be like you my Lord, as I offer my time and attention to those in need of comfort. Amen.
