Tag: trust

Posted in Through the Bible Devotions

More than a memory

Posted on by William Douthwaite
Photo by National Cancer Institute on Unsplash

A “through the bible” devotion from Judges 2.

It only took one generation. The people were serious when they promised, “We will serve the Lord” and got rid of their foreign gods (Joshua 24:22,23).

I turn one page in the bible and read, “There arose another generation after them who did not know the Lord or the work that he had done for Israel. The sons of Israel did evil in the sight of the Lord and served the Baals” (Judges 2:10,11).

How could that happen? Did no one tell them? Or weren’t they listening? It was probably a combination of both. The powerful accounts of crossing the Jordan on dry ground and watching the wall of Jericho fall were interesting and inspiring. But it wasn’t their experience.

I don’t fully understand my father’s experience of being away from home in the South Pacific for eighteen months during World War II. In a similar way, my grandchildren will never know what it felt like to watch the Twin Trade Towers collapse on September 11, 2001. The youngest of my grandchildren will look at pictures one day and ask, “What were you wearing a mask?” They didn’t live through the uncertain times of a pandemic.

That reality sounds sad until I remember that His story is different than history. The biblical accounts of God at work open our eyes to see him at work in our lives. As we gather for worship and live out our faith in the world, it becomes our experience, too. It is our story.

Someone is always watching you, learning from you. They might be related. They might not. Let them see someone affected by the God who was, and is, and always will be. Let them see someone who loves because they’ve been loved.

Posted in Through the Bible Devotions

Fake ID

Posted on by William Douthwaite
Photo by Lydia Matzal on Unsplash

A “through the bible” devotion from Joshua 9.

How does the world know you are who your are? Much of the time, a driver’s license is adequate ID. Sometimes you need a second form, like a passport. My phone and computer need my fingerprint. Some phones take a look at your face. Some websites make me answer security questions.

Apparently, fake IDs are still a thing. I read that one third of college students have used a fake ID to get into a bar. But that’s not new. Joshua encounters people with fake IDs as Israel fights to take possession of Canaan.

It was so obvious. These poor people have been on the road forever. All of their supplies are used up and worn out. They aren’t a threat. They aren’t on God’s most wanted list. They aren’t Hittites, Perizzites, or any of the other enemy “-ites” God told you to be wary of.

“The men of Israel…did not ask for the counsel of the Lord” (Joshua 9:14). Instead, they made a covenant with the people of Gibeon, who deceived them by dressing up like worn and weary travelers from far away. It was their form of a fake ID.

This account implies that Joshua should have asked God for advice. As hard as it is to accept, there’s really only one person (I know, God’s not a person, but you know what I mean) you can trust. He is faithful and true, and in fact, he embodies the truth. You better do a deeper dive with everyone else.

Posted in Through the Bible Devotions

The day the manna stopped

Posted on by William Douthwaite
Photo by Conscious Design on Unsplash

A “through the bible” devotion from Joshua 5.

A whole generation has grown up in a world with smart phones. Apple sold the first iPhone in 2007, so anyone born after that has never seen a world without the pocket technology we use every single day.

Manna kept a nation alive for forty years. God faithfully gave his people this daily bread, just as he promised. A whole generation grew up on manna. They never knew life without it.

Then one day, the manna stopped.

“The manna ceased on the day after they had eaten some of the produce of the land” (Joshua 5:12)

They would never eat manna again.

I wonder if anyone would miss it. Before long, I am sure folks would be telling stories of the manna they ate when they were kids. Just like we talk about foods we ate growing up you can’t get anymore. Like Swanson’s TV dinners, Carnation breakfast bars, Hunt’s Snack Pack pudding cups, Jello pudding pops, and Bazooka bubble gum.

No more manna? The good news is that the produce of a land filled with milk and honey was amazing.

Posted in Through the Bible Devotions

Bless this loaf

Posted on by William Douthwaite
Photo by Jeremy Yap on Unsplash

A “through the bible” devotion from Deuteronomy 28.

Towards the end of Deuteronomy we encounter a catalogue of blessings and curses, some of which are quite specific.

This one caught my eye and earned a place in my journal: “If you obey the Lord your God, blessed will be your basket and your kneading bowl” (Deuteronomy 28:5). If you choose not to obey, “Cursed will be your basket and your kneading bowl” (Deuteronomy 28:17).

Over the past year I’ve learned how to bake sourdough bread. I’ve figured out the best way to feed the mason jar of starter on the kitchen counter. I use a kitchen scale to weigh out my bread flour, water, salt, and starter for dough. I bake bread in the used cast iron dutch oven I purchased on eBay. I know how many times to stretch my dough before tucking it in for the night in the refrigerator. I have rice flour on hand for the overnight proofing. (Rice flour is inert; it doesn’t react with the dough.)

It’s not an exact science. Every loaf turns out different depending on the weather, how long I let the dough proof, the brand of flour I use, and how the starter is feeling that day. I’ve had some loaves that were impossible to slice because the crust was too tough. I’ve had others that were kind of gummy inside. And I’ve baked some really nice, tasty loaves, too.

Anyway, I would love it if God blessed my kneading bowl! It’s kind of funny to think that he would be a part of the bread baking process. I realize this is an image of God’s blessing in your home. But I still like to picture a really nice loaf of bread cooling on a rack in the kitchen!

The blessings of living as God’s people find their way into every area of life. He wants to bless our families, flocks, fields, homes, and travel. And when I read the much longer list of curses that follow (Deuteronomy 28:15ff), I’m more than ready to repent and get my act together!

Posted in Through the Bible Devotions

The pulse of a Spirit-filled life

Posted on by William Douthwaite
Photo by Rachel Loughman on Unsplash

A “through the bible” devotion from Numbers 28 and 29.

Upon learning that I was a pastor, folks would either comment, “It must be nice to only have to work one day a week” or, “You’re on duty 24/7, aren’t you?”

The truth lies somewhere in between. A lot of preparation goes into the weekly message to the gathered congregation. Shepherding a flock may be a daily commitment, but even shepherds clock in and out each day.

The priests and Levites were busy. Here’s a list of all the occasions on which were responsible for the offerings of God’s people:

  • Daily offerings, morning and evening, including a lamb, flour, and wine)
  • Sabbath day offering (weekly)
  • First of the month offering (monthly)
  • Passover offerings (14th day of first month, eight days total)
  • Feast of Weeks offerings (Pentecost; firstfruits of the harvest)
  • Feast of Trumpets offerings (Rosh Hashanah; 1st day of 7th month)
  • Day of Atonement offerings (Yom Kippus; 10th day of 7th month)
  • Feast of Booths offerings (15th day of 7th month; eight days total)

All that is in addition to vow offerings, freewill offerings, burnt offerings, grain offerings, drink offerings, and peace offerings (Numbers 28,29).

When I’m distracted by other things in life, whether it be myself or my things, I don’t fix my eyes on Jesus. But it sounds like the psalmist had it down, from waking till sleep:

“My voice you shall hear in the morning” (Psalm 5:3).

“When I remember you on my bed, I meditate on you in the night watches” (Psalm 63:6).

I like to think of all these instructions as a metronome that establishes a rhythm of worship. Rather than an interruption, worship occasions are the pulse of a Spirit-filled life.

Posted in Through the Bible Devotions

The obstacle course

Posted on by William Douthwaite
Photo by cottonbro studio on pexels.com

A “through the bible” devotion from Numbers 13 and 14.

One rainy day when they couldn’t go outside and play, the kids decided to make an obstacle course. Jumping from chair to chair, crawling under tables, and hopping over pillows can keeps them plenty busy. The more obstacles the better!

Life can be like an obstacle course. It’s just not as much fun.

Ten of the twelve spies Moses sent across the Jordan so spy out Canaan reported, “We are not able to go up against the people, for they are stronger than we are” (Numbers 13:31).

Joshua and Caleb insisted, “The Lord is with us; do not fear them” (Numbers 14:9).

Either the obstacle will block your view of the Lord, or he will obscure your view of the obstacle. Which will it be?

The obstacles were huge: strong, tall, ruthless people living in large fortified cities. They felt small. Tiny.

But it’s not just about perspective. God said to Moses, “How long will this people despise me? And how long will they not believe in me, in spite of all the signs that I have done among them?” (Numbers 14:11). It was unbelief. They chose not to trust the God who had done amazing things to deliver them.

The storm is huge. The diagnosis is grim. The cost is out of sight. Your hate runs deep. The tears won’t stop. You burned the bridge.

Get a good look at God each day before you’re faced with an obstacle. Turn over the baseball card and check out his stats. He’s brought you this far. He’ll get you through today. You can trust him with tomorrow, too. “He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ” (Philippians 1:6).

Posted in Devotions, Through the Bible Devotions

It’s different when you’ve got some skin in the game

Posted on by William Douthwaite
Photo by Darius Bashar on Unsplash

A “through the bible” devotion from Genesis 17.

Corporate offices often announce changes throughout the company that affect everyone from managers to minimum wage employees. A rebrand means new polo shirts for everyone. Changes in medical insurance mean a larger paycheck deduction. It’s one thing when new products fill the shelves. It’s another when staff reduction means you’re looking for a new job.

God announces some big changes in Genesis 17. He changes Abram’s name to Abraham, to remind him of the promise that he will father a great nation. Plus, the covenant will now require something of Abraham. You could say he now has some skin in the game. Go read Genesis 17 if you need more information.

It’s one thing to trust God when you’re on the receiving end of things. Trust him to provide food and clothing. Trust him to lead you to green pastures and still waters. Trust him when he says he’ll protect you.

It’s another thing when God puts a price tag on your trust. What are you going to do when it’s going to cost you something? Jesus said, “If anyone wants to come after Me, he must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow Me” (Mark 8:34). There are some things you have to let go of if you’re going to hold onto him. It could be pride. Self-sufficiency. Possessions. Bad habits. Bad attitudes.

I wonder how Abraham’s household reacted when he announced the provisions of the covenant. In the moment, I’ll bet they were unhappy. But you know what? They got over it. They healed. And they were thankful to be a part of the plans God had for Abraham and his family.

Posted in Devotions, Through the Bible Devotions

A sure thing

Posted on by William Douthwaite
Photo by Abhishek Singh on Unsplash

A “through the bible” devotion from Genesis 15.

When I bought a house, I signed a mountain of documents assuring the mortgage lender that I was who I said I was, knew what I was buying, and understood how much I would be paying each month for the next thirty years. It was intimidating to say the least.

But that’s nothing compared to what Abram has to endure as God confirms the covenant.

So God says to Abram, “You will have as many descendants as there are stars in the sky” Abram believes. So far so good.

The God says, “I brought you here so you can possess this land, too.”

But this time Abram asks, “Lord God, how may I know that I will possess it?” (Genesis 15:5-8)

If you only knew what you were asking, Abram! God instructs him to round up a cow, a goat, a ram, a dove, and a pigeon. Abram has to slice the big animals in two, and then he has to chase away circling vultures from the carcasses. When Abram falls asleep, he has a nightmare about God himself, appearing in the darkness as a smoking oven and a flaming torch, moves between the butchered animals to say in ancient covenant language, “I guarantee it.” Anyone else might have added, “I swear to God.” But I guess that doesn’t work when God is the one who is speaking.

Everything comes with a guarantee, right? At least for the first thirty days after a purchase. When I bought a cheap toaster, the Walmart cashier asked if I wanted the extended warrantee. It cost nearly as much as the toaster. No thanks.

So it’s only natural to ask God for some kind of assurance. That is, until you get to know him. When you look back in scripture and in your own life and see what God has done, you learn that faithfulness is one of his character traits. You can trust him. Plus, it’s not as messy.

Posted in holy week

Wednesday of Holy Week: the let down

Posted on by William Douthwaite

In the middle of Holy Week, Judas makes a deal to betray Jesus.

Then one of the twelve, whose name was Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests and said, ‘What will you give me if I deliver him over to you?’ And they paid him thirty pieces of silver.” (Matthew 26:14-16)

Jesus knows Judas is going to do this. If you’ve been through a season of Lent or two, you know Judas is going to do it.

But the other disciples didn’t. They had no reason to not trust Judas. They even trusted him with the money purse. In our world, I guess he would have their Venmo on his phone.

I think the hardest lesson from Wednesday is the reality that people close to us will let us down. Some of you have already experienced this from people in your own family, in the church, or at work.

And guess what? You’ve hurt them, too. They thought they knew you. They thought they could trust you.

But something else got in the way. What was it? Money? Pride? Selfishness? Busyness? Suddenly someone you cared about wasn’t important anymore.

Ok, enough of that. Who can you trust? Jesus. Other stuff doesn’t get in the way. He gives it all, his life, for you.