Category: Through the Bible Devotions

Posted in Through the Bible Devotions

Therapeutic prayer

Posted on by William Douthwaite
Photo by Ben White on Unsplash

A “through the bible” devotion from Psalm 6.

When David begins his prayer, he’s physically and spiritually troubled (Psalm 6:2,3). His nights are filled with grief and weeping (v6,7).

But by the end, he’d confident that God has heard his prayer and will take care of all his enemies (v10). His prayer has transported him from anguish to assurance.

How did that happen?

That is the power of prayer. It may or not change a situation, but it will always change us.

Prayer connects us with God. We may feel alone, scared, worried, or disconnected, but prayer refocuses us on his presence, protection, and power. It brings to mind his promises, puts everything into perspective, and powerfully calms our minds. It’s kind of like saying, “Amen,” nothing has changed, and yet everything has changed.

So even if it’s a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day, just pray. Just tell God how you feel. Let the process open the door for him to do his thing and create a new spirit in you.

Posted in Through the Bible Devotions

Passion, confidence, and anticipation

Posted on by William Douthwaite
Photo by Priscilla Du Preez 🇨🇦 on Unsplash

A “through the bible” devotion from Psalms 3, 4, and 5.

There’s passion, confidence, and expectation in the prayers and songs of these psalms.

  • “I cried aloud to the Lord…Arise O Lord! Save me, O my God!” (Psalm 3:4, 7).
  • “The Lord hears when I call to him (Psalm 4:3).
  • “O Lord, in the morning you hear my voice; in the morning I prepare a sacrifice for you and watch” (Psalm 5:3).

In these psalms, David audibly voices cries for help. After falling asleep, he rises with anticipation of God’s presence and steadfast love. His tone of voice is different than I typically hear in prayer. It’s different from my typical prayers.

Think about it. How much passion do you hear in prayer? Confidence? Anticipation? Not much. Certainly not much compared to David’s words. You may disagree, but most prayer sounds rote, listless, timid, vanilla, and generic. Too often my own sound that way.

First of all, that’s okay. In Romans, Paul admits he doesn’t know how to pray. Thank goodness for the Spirit who intercedes for us, who translates our awkward words into powerful prayers. (Romans 8:26,27).

Next, I believe we worry too much about what others will think of our prayers. Don’t. It’s not about them, but the Lord. You don’t need to infuse your prayer with a doctrinal statement. Just speak from your heart.

Finally, just read some psalms. They have a way of spawning the passion, confidence, and anticipation we may have lost somewhere along the way. Imagine sitting there with David as he sang about his experiences.

You’ve got the words. Just sing along. And then add your own stanza here or there.

Posted in Through the Bible Devotions

Are you kidding me?

Posted on by William Douthwaite
Photo by Jonathon Burton: https://www.pexels.com

A “through the bible” devotion from Psalm 2.

There is always a clash of kingdoms going on in the world.

  • Abram faces an alliance of kings in Genesis 14.
  • Saul faces off against David.
  • David fights off a lot of Philistines.
  • Israel finds itself at odds with Egypt, Assyria, Babylon, and Rome.

The psalmist wonders why the nations rage and the kings of the earth set themselves against the Lord. None of this concerns God in the least. It’s one of the few places in the bible when the Lord chuckles and reminds everyone, “I have set my King on Zion, my holy hill” (Psalm 2:6).

Jesus said that nations would rise up against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. That’s just the way this world is. Always has been. always will be.

He’s not worried. All authority on heaven and on earth has been given to him (Matthew 28:19). The kingdom of this world has become the kingdom of the Lord (Revelation 11:15). Nothing happens outside of his control or permission. Everything is in good hands – his hands.

So we shouldn’t be worried, either. “Blessed are all who take refuge in him” (2:12).

Posted in Through the Bible Devotions

The right path

Posted on by William Douthwaite
Photo by Lili Popper on Unsplash

A “through the bible” devotion from Psalm 1. Yes, we made it to the middle of the bible, the psalms. Lots of good stuff to come.

The contrast in Psalm 1 is clear: the way of sinners and the way of the righteous. Which would you choose?

The psalmist describes the blessed as those who avoid “the counsel of the wicked,” “the way of sinners,” and “the seat of scoffers.” And yet, those are the very things we choose over and above “the law of the Lord.”

Let me explain. We take advice from anyone out there on social media. We go along with the crowd even if we’re not sure we should. We scoff, mock, and speak derisively about anyone at the drop of a hat.

Guess which way we too often choose?

I don’t think we even realize how often we head down “the way of the wicked” (Psalm 1:6). I don’t think we realize what path we’re on until we’re a few miles down the road. And then when things aren’t working out so well, we wonder what went wrong.

So I guess the question is, how do I stay on the right path?

It’s the word. Delighting in it. Meditating on it. Drenched in it. Smothered in it. Infused. Smothered. Surrounded.

As many productivity gurus will tell you, it’s not habits or discipline, but the systems we have in place. A regular rhythm of devotion, prayer, and worship steers us a different direction than the influences around us. The Old Testament is filled with those worship rhythms, festivals, and feasts, leading God’s people down the path of life.

What systems do you have in place? What systems keep you on the right path?

Posted in Through the Bible Devotions

Wild, isn’t it?

Posted on by William Douthwaite
Photo by Thomas Lefebvre on Unsplash

A “through the bible” devotion from Job 38 and following.

When God finally shows up to answer Job, he launches into a series of questions about the creation. Were you there at creation? Do you know how it works? Do you know where light comes from? How about rain and snow? Or the constellations? The animal kingdom?

From mountain goats and wild donkeys to ostrich and horses and hawks, the creation is filled with wonders and marvels of nature. It’s all hard to explain and it’s hard to figure out, but it all works and it’s amazing. Then there’s the Behemoth (a hippo?) and Leviathan (alligator or dinosaur?) Pretty amazing, huh?

Life…the world…creation…is hard to figure out. It’s crazy, unpredictable, breathtaking. Figure it out? Probably not.

Posted in Through the Bible Devotions

How demanding are you?

Posted on by William Douthwaite
Photo by Neal Smith on Unsplash

A “through the bible” devotion from Job 31.

After an exasperating conversation, in person or on the phone, someone might demand, “I want to talk to your supervisor.” If you’re not getting an answer, or no one wants to resolve your problem, you start going up the chain of command. “Let me talk to your manager!”

Job goes right to the top:

Oh, that I had one to hear me!
    (Here is my signature! Let the Almighty answer me!)
    Oh, that I had the indictment written by my adversary! (Job 31:35)

Job wants an answer. After 29 chapters of verbal jousting between Job and his friends, trying to figure out why Job has experienced terrible suffering, it’t time to appeal to the highest authority.

It’s a prayer of faith. Job knows who he’s talking to. He calls God “the Almighty.” But he also refers to God as his adversary. In the last few weeks, it seems like God is against him for some reason. He’s still Job’s God, but Job has reached the end of his rope. He demands an answer.

Job is bold. What right do we have to demand an answer from God? None whatsoever. I’ve heard many insist, “When I get to heaven, I’m going to have a few questions for the Lord!” How do you feel when someone is demanding and insists on an answer? Does the Heavenly Father roll his eyes when his children won’t stop asking, “Why?”

When Jesus was here on earth, standing trial, his accusers from the priests to the governor demanded answers. “Are you the Christ?” “Are you the king of the Jews?” When Jesus answered, they put him to death. They got their answer, but they weren’t happy with it. Such demands reveal unbelief rather than trust.

When we get demanding, like Job, we are being the ones the prophets described. Since God has revealed so much about himself in the creation and through his Word, we’re blind and deaf to so many questions he’s already answered. When we get demanding, it probably means we already know the answer. We just don’t like it.

God hears your demands. He loves you anyway.

Posted in Through the Bible Devotions

Now it’s personal

Posted on by William Douthwaite
Photo by Redd Francisco on Unsplash

A “through the bible” devotion from Job 15-17.

Before you know it, the conversation between Job and his friends has descended into name calling. From trying to figure out what’s going on in Job’s life, they resort to insulting each other.

Eliphaz calls Job a bag of hot air. “Should a wise man answer with windy knowledge?” (Job 15:2) He labels Job as “abominable and corrupt” (15:16).

He doesn’t pull any punches when he points out, “The wicked man writhes in pain all his days” (15:20). I guess we know what he thinks of Job.

When Job asserts, “I shall not find a wise man among you” (17:10), Bildad responds, “Are you calling us stupid?” (18:3)

Sound familiar? It should. This is the path our conversations take. First we disagree. Then it escalates. Then it gets personal. The other person is stupid. We insult members of their family. Suddenly we’re not friends any more. We’re mortal enemies.

When it gets to that point, we don’t even remember what the original point of disagreement was. It doesn’t even matter. The only thing that matters is adding words like “always” and “never” to the insults. You’re always like that. You never do this. I’m not stupid. If the shoe fits…

Is there anyway to avoid going down that road?

Shut up. You don’t have to respond in kind. You don’t have to fan the flame. You don’t need to add fuel to the fire. Listen, look them in the eye, and be quiet.

Ask questions like, “What do you mean by that?” Let them say more. Listen, look them in the eye, and be quiet. If you make progress, go on to ask, “How do you know that?” and “Why do you believe that?” Those questions shift the focus back to whatever the issue was.

You could say, “You’re right. I’m stupid. I’m an idiot. I’m a jerk.” Own it. Claim it. Absorb it. Chances are the conversation will take a different turn.

Posted in Through the Bible Devotions

It could be worse

Posted on by William Douthwaite
Photo by Redd Francisco on Unsplash

A “through the bible” devotion from Job 11.

I’m not 100% sure, but I think these words came out of the Covid years: “But did you die?” No matter what a person went through, whether illness, natural disaster, or financial struggles, someone began using the grave as a yardstick. You’re name’s not inscribed on a tombstone? Stop whining and be thankful.

Zophar is another friend who has words these wonderful words of wisdom for Job: “Know then that God exacts of you less than your guilt deserves” (Job 11:6). In other words, “It could be worse!” And, “You’re getting off easy.”

How interesting that someone attempts to mitigate a tough moment by pointing out an even worse situation. I guess that’s one way to help someone through a difficult time. However, it’s neither helpful nor comforting. Job’s response? “Gee, thanks for the update. Why don’t you (and God) just leave me alone?”

After reading all the way through the book of Job, I realized that his friends were more helpful when they kept their mouths shut. Seven days of saying nothing after Job experienced his losses was paradise compared to a day of meaningless dialogue.

You don’t have to say anything. Your presence means more.

Posted in Through the Bible Devotions

Who cares? God cares.

Posted on by William Douthwaite
Photo by Maria Cortes on Unsplash

A “through the bible” devotion from Job 9.

In response to Bildad’s remark that he should seek out God and plead for mercy, Job asks, “How can a man be in the right before God?” (Job 9:2)

That’s a good question. How does anyone get right with God? Here’s a better question: does anyone even care?

I don’t think most people care. It’s not on their radar. God takes a back seat to pursuing the right relationships, opportunities, experiences, and things in life. He’s a benign deity who’s not part of life’s equation. We assume he’ll understand that we’ve done our best when it’s time to check out of this life and move on to the next. If there is one.

You know who cares? God cares. He doesn’t wait for us to get right with him. He’d be waiting a long time. He comes to straighten things out with us. He comes to show us that we’re never off his radar. He comes to show us that he cares.

How can you let someone know that God cares? You have to care. You have to care about someone else. God works through people to reach people. Sometimes it’s a prophet. Sometimes it’s fishermen (disciples). Sometimes it’s you.

You don’t have to get right with God. He’s already shown that you’re alright with him. He demonstrates his love by giving up his son Jesus for you.