Corona Devo 3257
Is it a hotel sign...or more? Look closer.
In the middle of a block-letter advertisement, we find a mama dove nesting her eggs...if we just look closer.
The Lord hath created all things and He cares for the birds and gives them a home where we might least expect to look.
How much more does He care and plan for our care and provision?
Look closer.
- Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? (27) Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?... (33) But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. (34) Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. ~Matthew 6:26-27, 33-34
- My soul yearns, even faints, for the courts of the Lord; my heart and my flesh cry out for the living God. (3) 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. (4) Blessed are those who dwell in your house; they are ever praising you. ~Psalm 84:2-4
- Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care. (30) And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. (31) So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows. ~Matthew 10:29-31
In a grocery store, there is a cart full of groceries and a mom with little ones jutting here and there. She is patient but authoritative as she moves with purpose and love through the aisles with her cart full and hands full.
What do we see? Chattering children and a life-chapter of chaos?
Look closer. Behold a mom who is buying food to feed her husband and growing family.
Find a young woman seeking to do her best in roles that are bigger than she can handle on her own, but that God has outlined and prepared her for.
Look closer.
A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies.(11) Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value.(12) She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life.(13) She selects wool and flax and works with eager hands.(14) She is like the merchant ships, bringing her food from afar.(15) She gets up while it is still night; she provides food for her family and portions for her female servants...(17) She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks.(18) She sees that her trading is profitable, and her lamp does not go out at night...(20) She opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy...(23) Her husband is respected at the city gate, where he takes his seat among the elders of the land...(25) She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come.(26) She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue.(27) She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness.(28) Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: (29) “Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all.”(30) Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.(31) Honor her for all that her hands have done, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate. ~Proverbs 31:10-15, 17-18, 20, 23, 25-31
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What do we see?
Is it a man? Look closer.
Preaching each Sunday, praying and preparing each week. Sermons/prayers/and music that we like or dislike, depending on the week, and the details...and our mood. We become armchair pew quarterbacks at critiquing and criticizing our pastors.
But look closer.
We see a man of the cloth. A man of God called to proclaim the Word of the Lord to the people of the Lord. God's highest calling, perhaps, and a daunting call to answer.
Look closer.
Pray closer.
Support him more closely.
Here is a trustworthy saying: Whoever aspires to be an overseer desires a noble task.
(2) Now the overseer is to be above reproach, faithful to his wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, (3) not given to drunkenness, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money.
(4) He must manage his own family well and see that his children obey him, and he must do so in a manner worthy of full respect. (5) (If anyone does not know how to manage his own family, how can he take care of God’s church?
(6) He must not be a recent convert, or he may become conceited and fall under the same judgment as the devil.
(7) He must also have a good reputation with outsiders, so that he will not fall into disgrace and into the devil’s trap. ~I Timothy 3:1-7
Look closer.
This is a man called by God to serve His flock. May we support him in that role as we are led.
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Look closer.
No one and nothing is as it seems on the surface. There is always more. Let's dig deeper into what God is doing, and let's stop stopping at the surface level. Let's see beyond and let's see people today, and see what God is doing in them and through them today.
Our Lord is always at work in His Creation...in us...and in others.
For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. (17) He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. ~Colossians 1:16-17
Look closer today.
Blessings,
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