Tag: faith

Posted in Through the Bible Devotions

Ask for a sign

Posted on by William Douthwaite

A “through the bible” devotion from Isaiah 7.

When Syria and the northern kingdom of Israel stage an invasion of the southern nation of Judah, the prophet Isaiah relays a message from God: “Don’t worry about it.”  

In fact, the Lord says, “Ask a sign of the Lord your God” (Isaiah 7:11). It can be anything. No limits. Just name it Ahaz, and God will put any doubts to rest.

Have you ever wanted a sign from God? Have you ever wished he would give you some kind of tangible indication that you were making the right choice.

I think all of us envy Gideon’s experience with God in Judges 6. He receives two definitive signs from God to affirm that he is the one who will save Israel. The first is a dewy fleece on a bone dry threshing floor in the morning. The second is the opposite, a dry fleece when the rest of the ground is damp with dew. He gets both. He’s the guy.

But Ahaz said, “I will not ask, and I will not put the Lord to the test” (v12).

An offer like that rarely, if ever, comes along. You can ask for something big. Or small. Whatever you need to confirm God’s Word.

Ahaz says, “No thanks.”

It’s not because Ahaz is super faithful and doesn’t need proof of God’s protection. It’s just the opposite. Ahaz doesn’t trust God. He will buy protection from Assyria, a bigger and badder bully than Syria and Israel put together. He doesn’t want a sign because he has chosen to reject God.

If you ask for and get a sign from God, you’re locked in, aren’t you? You’ve painted yourself into a corner. You might not like the answer. Too bad. There is no doubt what God wants you to do.

Plus, you’re off the hook. If something goes wrong, it’s not your fault. It was his idea.

I’ve had conversations with people who wanted my opinion on something. At least that’s what they said. But that’s not what they wanted. They knew what they wanted to do. They wanted approval or permission to escape accountability.

Requesting a sign from God is a dead giveaway that you don’t trust him or his word. It exposes a lack of faith or even rejection of God.

God wasn’t surprised. In fact, he says, “I’m going to give you a sign anyway.” By the time a virgin conceives and gives birth, my plan will be in motion.

This sign would come to complete fulfillment much later, when Jesus was born, God’s plan from before the creation of the world.

Posted in Through the Bible Devotions

Finding Sweet Sleep: Biblical Wisdom from Proverbs 3

Posted on by William Douthwaite
Photo by Shane on Unsplash

A “through the bible” devotion from Proverbs 3.

There is no shortage of advice on how to get a good night’s sleep. No screens an hour before bedtime. No eating or drinking a couple hours before. No caffeine after lunch. An evening workout. A warm bath. A good book. A cool room. A comfortable bed, pillow, and sheets.

Benedryl, melatonin, Ambien, Sominex, warm milk, almonds, high-carb snack.

Those are just the ones I’ve recently heard. I’m sure there are many more.

I came across this one in the bible:

If you lie down, you will not be afraid;
    when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet (Proverbs 3:23)

Sounds good. What is the secret to that sweet sleep?

It starts a few verses earlier, in the encouragement to find wisdom and understanding.

Blessed is the one who finds wisdom,
    and the one who gets understanding (Proverbs 3:13).

The writer isn’t talking about any wisdom and understanding, but that which comes from trusting God, leaning on God, fearing God, honoring God, and following his ways.

My son, do not lose sight of these—
    keep sound wisdom and discretion,
and they will be life for your soul
    and adornment for your neck (Proverbs 3:21,22).

Then you will walk on your way securely,
    and your foot will not stumble.
If you lie down, you will not be afraid;
    when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet (Proverbs 3:23,24).

A life rooted and built up in Christ, a faith firmly established in him, full of gratitude is safe and secure. You can rest easy and sleep well because you know he’s taking care of you.

I think it’s interesting that sleep has a spiritual as well as a physical dimension. It’s as much about resting your soul as it is getting rest for your body. In the bible, a soul thirsts, hungers, gets weary and needs rest.

How nice to know that God arranges for that. He’s faithful, powerful, wise, and understanding. His steadfast love endures forever. You don’t have to worry. You can rest easy.

And you can get some sweet, sweet sleep.

Posted in Through the Bible Devotions

“I knew you were going to say that.”

Posted on by William Douthwaite
Photo by saeed karimi on Unsplash

A “through the bible” devotion from Psalm 139.

Sometimes you just know. You just know what someone is going to say.

  • The gate agent at the airport has just announced a full flight. But I ask if we can seats together. It never hurts to ask, and once in a great while, they can do it. But most of the time, they say, “I’m sorry, it’s a full flight.”
  • When you call up to cancel a subscription – assuming you can get an actual person to talk to – they offer you something to keep you subscribed.
  • The standard response to “Thank you” is “No problem.” Not, “You’re welcome.” Unless you’re at Chick-fil-A, and there the response is, “It’s my pleasure.”
  • As the barber struggles to run a comb through my thick mane, he or she always says, “Wow, you’ve got a thick head of hair!”
  • When I call the vet, the friendly tech answering the phone says, “Can I put you on hold?”
  • On a walk through the neighborhood with my Great Dane, I always hear, “Is that a horse?”

My day is filled with predictable responses. This is not a new idea. It’s in the bible.

“Before a word is on my tongue, O Lord, you know it” (Psalm 139:4).

God knows exactly what you’re going to say. He knows before you do. Yes, he knows you that well.

That’s an interesting dynamic, isn’t it? You pour out your heart in prayer, you enumerate all the things you’re thankful for, and you bring your whole prayer list to God, and his response could be, “I knew you were going to say that.”

So why pray? Part of our faith is conversation. We converse with a God who speaks. We are people who respond. Of course we’re not telling him anything he doesn’t know. But we need to talk to him. It reminds us who he is. It brings to mind what he does and can do. It makes us aware of his presence. It’s part of being created in his image. In the beginning God spoke, so we speak, too.

I like the truth that God knows. He knows what I need and what I think I need. He knows where I am. He knows where I’m going even if I’m not certain. He knows me better than I know myself!

Posted in Through the Bible Devotions

The Dimensions of God’s Love: you’re going to need a box

Posted on by William Douthwaite

A “through the bible” devotion from Psalm 103.

“It looked bigger in the picture.”

Ever order something online, only to find it’s much smaller than you expected it to be? Could be clothes, a tool, or a toy. I have to make sure I read the specs before I buy something.

Pictures of short-term rentals make homes look palatial. When I arrive, though, everything looks so small. Whoever took those pictures knew exactly what they were doing. They knew just the right angles to magnify every bedroom, bathroom, closet, and living area.

It’s just the opposite with God. We tend to underestimate the dimensions of his steadfast love, or mercy. The words of Psalm 103 blow the roof off our meager expectations.

The Lord is merciful and gracious,
    slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. (Psalm 103:8)

For as high as the heavens are above the earth,
    so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him. (Psalm 103:11)

But the steadfast love of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear him. (Psalm 103:17)

The Lord has an abundance of steadfast love, more than enough to go around, enough for seconds and even thirds. That same steadfast love keeps going up and up and up, far beyond the highest floor of the worlds tallest building. And if that’s not enough, his steadfast love lasts forever. It’s the ultimate bottomless cup of whatever.

Before you order the salad in a restaurant, ask how big they are. They’re often enough to feed both of you, with leftovers to take home.

Check out that breakfast platter coming out of the kitchen. Look at the size of those pancakes! Maybe we should split an order.

And make sure you consider the dimensions of God’s amazing steadfast love. Yeah, you’re going to need at least one take-home box.

Posted in preaching

Musings from the pulpit

Posted on by William Douthwaite
Photo by Annie Spratt on Unsplash

So after a Sunday morning where my task was to lead praise worship, I thought I’d circle around and ponder how different it was from the preaching experience.

I find that preaching engages my intellectual left brain. I’ve engaged a text, developed illustrations, developed a flow, and committed the outline to memory. Even though a sermon might appear to be a monologue, it’s actually a dialogue on different levels. I am watching my listeners, gauging their reactions. I am hearing the word myself, my heart responds, and that affects my words.

I notice what’s going on in the congregation before me. I see who is there and who is not there. I watch their eyes, see a few smiles, maybe a nod or two, and wonder how some can sit stone-faced for an entire hour. I’m conscious of everyone else there with a task: elder, ushers, AV technicians, musicians. I’m aware of who’s there for the first time, who can’t keep their eyes open, children with snacks, toys, and crayons, late-arrivers, those who like to chat, who’s taking notes, and every attempt to silently open up a piece of candy. I know who’s walking through the outer doors, who leaves early, who can’t make it an hour without a trip to the restroom.

I am fully engaged with the people in front of me. They have my attention, even if they aren’t fully paying attention to me. I’ve practiced enough that some of the sermon is preached on auto-pilot. But along the way, I may leave something out or I may have a new thought to include. It’s both prepared and spontaneous at the same time.

I enjoy(ed) preaching, I believe, because of all the variables. (I’m a math guy. I like multiple variables in equations.) Some might hear and their lives will be changed. Some won’t hear a word; nothing will change. The results aren’t even in my hands. I can study, prepare, and practice as much as I want, but the results are in the hands of a higher power. The word I speak is powerful and can change a life. It can set off a temper tantrum, too. I never know how it will turn out.

I’ve just preached. I’ve just done music. I’ve done both. All very different experiences.

Posted in Life

Worship musician

Posted on by William Douthwaite
Photo by Gabriel Gurrola on Unsplash

A couple of months ago, the pastor asked me if I could fill in and lead the praise worship service when he and his wife were out of town for a conference. Another guitarist and bass player joined me as I led the songs a couple of Sundays ago.

I’ve led the music before when other musicians were sick or out of town. On those Sundays, I also preached and taught a bible class. But on this occasion, I would only be doing music. The other tasks were covered by another fill-in pastor.

This was the first time my only job was the music. I picked the songs, led rehearsal, and was the one leading the congregation in song that Sunday morning. These are my reflections on the experience.

For me, the focus required for musical performance engages a different side of my brain from the preaching task. The latter is more of an intellectual endeavor. Music comes from my creative side. In preaching, I am engaging with the listeners. With a guitar and my voice, I find I engage more with the music.

With enough practice, much of performing happens on autopilot. My fingers automatically respond to the chords I see on the page. I picked familiar songs so the sounds that come from my mouth have long been stored in my brain. Most of the tempos came from a rhythm machine. My breath comes from my diaphragm and my vocal chords feel relaxed and resonant. I hate to admit it, but it’s very mechanical.

Someone is running the soundboard, making sure all the voices and instruments are balanced and heard. While someone is reading, preaching, and praying, I am trying to listen, but I am mostly thinking about when I will play next. I am suddenly aware that it’s really hard for any musician to fully engage in worship.

I appreciate all who supply music for worship on a weekly basis. It’s fun to do once. I’m not sure I’d want to do it week after week. Preach? I did it weekly for many years. But that’s a whole different task. I think I’ll reflect on that next time.

Posted in Through the Bible Devotions

The look on his face

Posted on by William Douthwaite
Photo by Kelly Sikkema on Unsplash

A “through the bible” devotion from Psalm 67.

May God be gracious to us and bless us
    and make his face to shine upon us. (Psalm 67:1)

Our faces communicate much about how we’re feeling. We can express approval, displeasure, joy, or grief with just a glance. I can wrinkle my brow, grin, purse my lips, or roll my eyes, and you’ll ask, “What?” But you know. You know in that moment that I’m concerned, amused, thoughtful, or exasperated.

In biblical thought, God’s shining face is a look of approval. Do you imagine God looking at you with pride, or with disappointment? Is he glad to hear from you, or does he roll his eyes? Do you picture him smiling or frowning?

I hope you picture the Lord with a big grin on his face. He made you, he loves you, he’s proud of you, and he wants to be with you. He came to be with you, to be your Savior, to adopt you as his child, and secure a place for you with him forever. I believe he’s very fond of you, and you can see it on his face!

Take a day and notice people’s faces. What does their face communicate? What do you think is on their mind? What are they thinking? What’s their mood?

Think again about God’s face? Your faith in Christ means he looks at you as he looks at his own son: with love, pride, approval, and joy. Your Father loves you, and you can tell by the look on his face!

Posted in Through the Bible Devotions

Listen up

Posted on by William Douthwaite
Photo by Ben White on Unsplash

A “through the bible” devotion from Psalm 61.

When Jesus taught in parables, he said, “He who has ears, let him hear.” In other words, “Listen up!”

At the beginning of Psalm 61, David turns that thought around and calls on God to hear his prayers.

Hear my cry, O God,
    listen to my prayer;
from the end of the earth I call to you
    when my heart is faint. (Psalm 61:1)

Charles Spurgeon wrote, “The children of God are never content until their prayers are heard. Not just spoken, but heard.”

I think that’s a great reminder that it’s not so much what we say when we pray as it is who we are speaking to. Sometimes, when I hear people pray out loud in a group, I wonder, “Is that the way you talk to Jesus when you’re alone?” Some frame their petitions with doctrinal truths that seem to be directed more at the listeners in the room than the Father in heaven. Just tell him what’s on your heart. Release whatever is on your mind. Implore him to hear you, and be confident that he does.

Posted in Through the Bible Devotions

You’re forgiven. Now what?

Posted on by William Douthwaite
Photo by CDC on Unsplash

A “through the bible” devotion from Psalm 32.

Blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven,
    whose sin is covered.
Blessed is the man against whom the Lord counts no iniquity (Psalm 32:1,2)

I acknowledged my sin to you,
    and I did not cover my iniquity;
I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord,”
    and you forgave the iniquity of my sin. (32:5)

Forgiveness is an amazing thing. Life is good without shame, regret, and guilt hanging over your head. By the grace of God, all that is off the table when we’re forgiven.

Now what?

Your transgression is forgiven, your sin is covered, and the Lord doesn’t count any iniquity against you. What’s next?

In Psalm 32, David takes us to the next step.

I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go;
    I will counsel you with my eye upon you. (32:8)

We learn a lot from our mistakes. We resolve, “I’m not going to do that again,” “I’m going to think before I speak,” “I’m not going there anymore.” But we will. We’ll drift back into old habits, let our words fly, and make the same stupid mistakes.

I’m grateful for God’s instruction and teaching. I’m thankful he’s keeping an eye on me, to counsel me, and lead me in the way of life. A lot of things look good that really aren’t good for me. His scriptural guidance is always for my benefit and blessing.

Forgiven? Yes! Now go back to class.