Tag: Devotions

God Shows His Delight in Us – Zephaniah 3:16-17

My grandchildren have great radar, and it’s not because I carry candy in my purse. They are genuinely delighted to see me when I walk into church. Nothing is sweeter than hearing them holler “Grandma!” and come running to wrap their arms around me.

children-hugging-pexels-free-pixabay

We should call out to God like that

Some people don’t have the kind of family relationships they desire. There may be geographic or emotional distance, or other things that cause them pain.

We know how that feels, too.

When I think of this, I remember the foster child who lives in my grandchildren’s home. He’s right there with them, calling “Grandma!” and holding on to me. Though traumatized and separated from his birth family, he joins in, knowing I’ll hear and embrace him.

“Yea, you’re here!”

“Do not fear, Zion; do not let your hands hang limp. The Lord your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in his love he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing” (Zephaniah 3:16-17 NIV).

God doesn’t just care deeply, he is “greatly delighted” with us. He’s with us. There’s rejoicing and singing. Everything’s going to be OK.

by Kathy Sheldon Davis

My Not-So Silly Game with God – 1 John 3:1-2

Do you think God plays with us?

When I was doing laundry for my family one day, I found a dime in the washing machine. I raised my gaze to the ceiling and said, “Thank you, Lord. I love you, too!” This isn’t an odd response when you consider the deal I’d made with God.

dime. brettHondow. free pixabay

In grade school, I played a game with our friends of naming our favorite things. Favorite color: Green (my grandma’s favorite). Favorite teacher: Miss McClellan (she taught us to knit). Favorite food: Fried chicken (yummy). Favorite day: Wednesday (a shorter school day).

Because dimes were worth more than nickels, though smaller, I chose the dime as my favorite coin. I could carry more of them in my pocket (I was a little greedy, but very practical).

Being a child is OK

“See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are. The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. Dear friends, now we are children of God . . .” (1 John 3:1-2 NIV).

It wasn’t the first time I’d found money in the laundry, but that particular week I was coming upon dimes everywhere. There was one on the floor in the car. The next day, a dime glistened on the path I walked during prayer. I discovered one lonely dime in my change purse when I stopped for a jug of milk.

Suspicious the Lord might be planting them, I started watching for them. My family didn’t know I had ever favored dimes, but sure enough, when I opened my husband’s lunch box at the end of the day, a dime lay among the crumbs.

I held the skinny coin up to God

“I don’t know if you’re behind this, Lord, but I’m going to play like you are. You are my loving Father. You know I chose dimes as my favorite as a child, so I will say that whenever I find one, I’ll accept it as a reminder of your great love for me.”

Maybe one day he will tell me how much he enjoyed hiding dimes. Either that, or he’ll ask me why I didn’t choose silver dollars.

by Kathy Sheldon Davis