Devotions

Grace Givers and Wise Followers

“But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen.” 2 Peter 3:18 
 
My old friend Kathy sat at the kids’ table longer than most. The day came when she was finally promoted to the grown-up table. She was anxious, sat up straight, and carefully tucked her napkin in her lap. She was excited at having a place at the table at last. Someone needed a glass of tea and Kathy jumped at the chance to prove she was worthy of the big table and so got up to pour the tea. There was one problem... the napkin she had tucked into her lap... was the tablecloth! Sometimes we try so hard and when it all crashes down, we might be tempted to give up. I’m pleased to say that after a short tutorial about actual napkins versus tablecloths, Kathy made it back to the grown-up table. 
 
Each time I encounter God’s word, I find something I didn’t see before. I’m both delighted and humbled when that happens. The invitation to God’s table is always an open one, but it’s definitely a place where everyone gets opportunity to learn. In this passage from Peter’s second letter, we are to grow in grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To accept Jesus as our Savior allows us to receive his grace. To grow in grace must mean not only have we received his grace, but we become grace givers as well. We follow Jesus who said things like “out of the believer’s heart shall flow rivers of living water” and “love as I have loved you.” He intends for us to do great things with his grace at work in us. And the other thing I discovered in this scripture from second Peter is that Jesus is our Lord. That’s our leader, the one we follow, so learning more about him isn’t just knowing facts, it’s becoming wise in the way he is wise. God loves to see us grow and provides many opportunities. God’s table is filled with grace givers and wise followers. Let’s grow there together. 

Our Rock and Our Salvation

For God alone my soul waits in silence, for my hope is from him. He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be shaken. On God rests my deliverance and my honor; my mighty rock, my refuge is in God. Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before him; God is a refuge for us. Psalm 62:5-8 

Have you ever waited in silence for God? The psalmist of Psalm 62 is familiar with this form of waiting. But even in their waiting, they bring together hope and expectation. We are invited today to do the same. These verses prompt two important questions in my spirit:  

1. What are you waiting and hoping for?   
2. What will be your mindset as you wait?  

These days have been strange, unlike any others in my lifetime. I have felt the silence of my home. I have felt the silence of the church walls on many days. And even still, Psalm 62 invites me to name where I will place my hope and expectations: in God almighty. There is no one else like God. There is no one else who secures my deliverance and my refuge. There is no one better to respond in the silence. I am confident of this. Be assured and expectant of this truth today: God is our Rock and our Salvation. This means that you can always place your hopes and your mindset in the Lord—in strange times or in normal times—and God will never fail you. God is steady hand, a firm foundation, and mighty to save. You can wait in the silence for God and therein place all your hope and expectation.