Corona Devo 1550

I thought I heard a seagull in our backyard today, and then I realized it was a hawk.  (Believe it or not, their cries can sound very similar!).  

However, when I spotted the (big) hawk, he wasn't alone.  Not far from him on an electrical wire was a brave and spunky grackle (a black bird).  

The grackle reminded me of a prizefighter dancing around the boxing ring.  He pulsed his tail feathers repeatedly and seemed to bat his hind-side at the hawk.  This (much) smaller bird made chirps of his own that seemed to say, "I'm not afraid of you."  

He was clearly not afraid of the big hawk that stood perched a few feet from his (much-tinier) body, and he was not backing down to that hawk, either.  Even though that hawk was watching him with an eagle eye.

What bully or road block is staring us down today?  What or who is standing in our way of joy, hope, peace, or freedom?  

What is the source of intimidation that is threatening our (emotional/physical/intellectual/spiritual) well-being today?

Don't back down today.  Don't shrink back.  We can stand strong in the strength of our Lord and we can hold our ground for a while longer with His strength (not ours) strengthening us today.  

But my righteous one will live by faith.  And I take no pleasure in the one who shrinks back."  (39) But we do not belong to those who shrink back and are destroyed, but to those who have faith and are saved.  ~Hebrews 10:38-39

Have faith and be saved in the strength and power of Jesus today.

~~~

Eventually I looked out and both the hawk and grackle were gone, but they had both stood their ground for quite a while.  I couldn't believe the size difference and the guts of that grackle. 

I want those guts for living for God today.  

We all have some kind of big hawk that is perched near us today.  Something or someone that has stolen something from us (peace/security/joy), but it is up to us if we allow them to intimidate our peace-of-mind and faith today.  Let's get gutsy like that grackle. 

For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.  ~2 Timothy 1:7  

God's Word commands us not to be afraid, and we can trust Him and His commands.  

So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God.  I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.  ~Isaiah 41:10 

He is our strength, and there is nothing coming at us today that He is not already aware of, or that He has not (in His omniscience) already handled.  

The Lord is my strength and shield.  I trust him with all my heart.  He helps me, and my heart is filled with joy...  (8) The Lord gives his people strength.  He is a safe fortress for his anointed king.  ~Psalm 28:8-10

Let's get brave and spunky today, not in arrogance, defiance, or ignorance, but with the Lord as our power-source..  

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. (11) Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.  ~Ephesians 6:10-11 

Let's dance around life's boxing ring today, instead of cowering on the side at the ropes.  

We needn't taunt the evil one or our enemies, but knowing that we stand in victory with our Savior can give us some confidence.  We might need to start with a quiet voice, and build-up our confidence in the Lord, until we are able to say with strength and confidence: "I'm not afraid of you."  

...because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”  (6) So we say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid.  What can mere mortals do to me?”  ~Hebrews 13:5-6  

Don't be afraid today of whatever "hawk" is staring us down and puffing-out its chest out at us.  

That little black bird was clearly not afraid of the big hawk that stood perched a few feet from his (much-tinier) body.  We have challenges today that are much larger than us too.  But our God is bigger, and He is our strength.  He is our hope.  He is our truth.  And He is our song.  

We put our hope in the Lord.  He is our help and our shield.  (21) In him our hearts rejoice,  for we trust in his holy name.  (22) Let your unfailing love surround us, Lord, for our hope is in you alone.  ~Psalm 33:20-22

Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power today, regardless of what is seeking to intimidate us (Ephesians 6:10).

Blessings,

sarah

https://sarahsundy04.blogspot.com


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Corona Devo 1156

Image
At work, we provide Trainings for customers, so that they can be updated and educated on all of the latest features (and how to use them) within our product.  Many companies do this--sharing "Best Practices" are a way to ensure positive outcomes on the customer and vendor sides of things. My kids often offer me "life hacks" that they have learned from watching an online video promising to "save time" and "make your life easier".  And just this week, my husband enlightened me about the "tear-away" feature built into most plastic rings holding cans/bottles of pop or Gatorade together.  When separated, the plastic rips open easily, releasing the bottle--saving wildlife that might be caught if it is discarded as trash, and saving me  frustration or angst because I no longer have to pull with all my might to get a bottle out of the plastic rings.  ( Who knew? )  Life hacks do save time and make your life easier! Who couldn't benefit from...
Read more

Corona Devo 1217

Image
The unanswered “why’s” of life, the disorder of our days, and even the unfairness of our struggles can cause us to question ourselves and also to question our God. But the order-of-Creation and the systems that God has set in place are undeniable answers that swing back and forth like God’s pendulum-reminder that He set the world in motion, and He continues to keep order, even when it seems as if we and our world are in dis- order.   Job was a man going through some heavy and hard stuff.   Maybe we are too.   Job’s trials had caused him to question the order of life, and possibly God’s dominion over it.   We can relate.   The “Why’s?” and the “Why Me’s” can stack up in our minds and hearts, but like a parent exercising loving-authority over a child, God reminds Job and us--of His power, omniscience and of His ultimate authority over everything: Creation… and us today .   Then the  Lord  answered Job from the whirlwind: (2) “Who i...
Read more

Corona Devo 991

Running low on " good things " today?  Doesn't it (sometimes) seem like/trend like/read like/tweet like/water-cooler-chat or backyard-fence-visit like/intimidate like/depress like... there are no  good things in the land? . I know. It's no secret that many have abandoned  the Law of the  Lord,  and at times, that's us .   It is evident all around us that people have  followed each other  in this sin.  When we look around...or when we live our days...we can wonder: Are there  any  good things  left in the land? There are still some good things in the land ...and no matter how bleak we feel the "forecast" for today is...there will always  be  some good things in the land, because God is in the land.   T he Bible reminds us of that today.   ~~~ The Israelites (and their king, Rehoboam ) were God's people, but like all of us at times/seasons of our lives...they wandered from Lord and His ways....
Read more