Review and Re-Center Around God
Matthew 5:37
“All you need to say is simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything beyond this comes from the evil one.”
~ Jesus
Monday’s devotion noted that people of Jesus’ day differentiated between the gravity of oaths bound to God and those bound to lesser things. For this moment, set aside any oaths connected to formal proceedings like courtrooms. Focus instead on people who swear oaths in daily life, as if a simple yes or no is not enough.
Review the Week
Am I good for my word? If I say I am going to do something, do I follow through? When I say no, do I mean it? If people don’t believe my yes or no, why is that – what caused this? Do I try to persuade others to do what I want through additional promises or verbal manipulation?
Repent (if necessary)
…over broken or empty promises you’ve made or over violating the sacredness of your word. Ask God about apologizing to those you disappointed or misled.
Return (as necessary)
As you return to God, come with a desire to be like Him, to be a person whose word is your bond. Let this be the content of your prayer with the Lord as you wrap up this devotional period.
Begin like: Father God, I want to be faithful as You have been faithful…
Micro-Meditation Scripture
Psalm 84:1-8
- How lovely is your dwelling place, LORD Almighty!
- My soul yearns,
even faints for the courts of the LORD
my heart and my flesh cry out for the living God. - Even the sparrow has found a home,
and the swallow a nest for herself,
where she may have her young
— a place near your altar,
LORD Almighty, my King and my God. - Blessed are those who dwell in your house;
they are ever praising you. - Blessed are those whose strength is in you,
whose hearts are set on pilgrimage. - As they pass through the Valley of Baka,
they make it a place of springs;
the autumn rains also cover it with pools. - They go from strength to strength,
till each appears before God in Zion. - Hear my prayer, LORD God Almighty;
listen to me, God of Jacob.
Micro-Meditation
Teaching or Command of God
Ephesians 3:16-17a
I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith…
Zechariah 10:12
I will strengthen them in the Lord and in his name they will live securely,” declares the Lord.
Micro-Meditation
Pondering Point
Psalm 84:5-6 from the Lord’s perspective:
God: Oh My child, you will find the strength you seek – and more,
your heart will find clear direction in Me.
Get here – by all means necessary;
Whatever valleys you have to pass through,
I will make them springs; pools of my design.