Daily Devotional for June 7, 2016

Romans 8:18-23
Yet what we suffer now is nothing compared to the glory he will give us later. For all creation is waiting patiently and hopefully for that future day when God will resurrect his children. For on that day thorns and thistles, sin, death, and decay — the things that overcame the world against its will at God’s command—will all disappear, and the world around us will share in the glorious freedom from sin which God’s children enjoy.

For we know that even the things of nature, like animals and plants, suffer in sickness and death as they await this great event. And even we Christians, although we have the Holy Spirit within us as a foretaste of future glory, also groan to be released from pain and suffering. We, too, wait anxiously for that day when God will give us our full rights as his children, including the new bodies he has promised us—bodies that will never be sick again and will never die.

The Living Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

A few weeks after my dad died, I was telling a friend about how much he suffered…the two years of daily dialysis that confined him to bed and a machine for 14 hours every night…the chronic depression that made him want to lie in that bed and beg to die much of the time…the constant itching and sensitivity to smells and tastes that goes along with renal failure and makes one miserable…the countless trips to the hospital and Emergency Room for treatments for everything from anxiety to blood loss. And in the midst of this, my dad lost his only son and suffered incredible grief and heartache.  He often cried, “I want to go with him.”  I noted that after all of this, my dad had a stroke one day post hernia surgery that paralyzed him from the chest down…and a few hours later, a heart attack took his life.  I questioned why Daddy had to suffer like this, when the ultimate result was “sudden” death.

I will never forget my friend’s response.  He asked, “In the scheme of things, wasn’t all of that suffering just a ‘blip on the screen’ compared to what awaited your dad in heaven forever and ever?”  He went on to suggest that we think about our earthly suffering in terms of time as we know it…but in comparison to Eternity and the peace and joy that awaits us there, it loses much of its punch and power.

Do not misunderstand me…I know that many have suffered.  I do not in any way wish to diminish any person’s grief, physical discomfort and illness, and heartaches of all kinds.  I know that people are physically, mentally and emotionally ravaged by lousy childhoods, war, the violence and hatred of others, and horrific injuries and diseases. I acknowledge human and animal cruelty…and how agonizing it can be to endure cancer, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and other terrible diseases. I know that life can be very hard for many.  And it is easy to ask God, “WHY?” 

But I also know that because I trust God…because I believe in His promises…the suffering will end – and it will have been a “blip on the screen” for those who trusted Him and waited anxiously for Heaven.  In the meantime, suffering is real for so many…and to those who suffer, I say, “God sees you.  He knows you are hurting, and He is not punishing you.  He is drawing you close in your pain, heartache and grief.  He is strengthening your ‘faith muscle’ as you rely more on Him and less on yourself to do these really hard things.”

I have discovered in the last few days that I’ve been relying too much on my own strength in recent months – and not enough on the power of God…and I didn’t even realize it.  I have finally humbled myself and admitted to God that I need His help…that “life” has been a lot harder than I thought it was going to be…and I cannot do this without Him.  I know that I am not going to be instantly “better” because of this…but my focus has shifted.  I am looking at the bigger picture, rather than the “blip on the screen.” 

I am recognizing just how much I need God in my life…His grace, mercy, forgiveness, and healing.  I have redoubled my determination to walk in faith even more…and to let God carry me as I focus on a broader landscape – and the promise of Heaven – and less on the past and the immediate present.  There will be plenty of unpleasant events and circumstances yet to come in my lifetime, but I will not face them alone.  I will do all I can to wait patiently for God to lead me out of these adversities…and I will look forward to the glory of Heaven and the perfect peace that He is preparing for me there.  What about you?

©2016 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for March 25, 2016

Acts 2:22-26   
Now, listen to what I have to say about Jesus from Nazareth. God proved that he sent Jesus to you by having him work miracles, wonders, and signs. All of you know this. God had already planned and decided that Jesus would be handed over to you. So you took him and had evil men put him to death on a cross. But God set him free from death and raised him to life. Death could not hold him in its power. What David said are really the words of Jesus,

“I always see the Lord near me,
and I will not be afraid with him at my right side.

Because of this, my heart will be glad,
my words will be joyful, and I will live in hope.”

Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.

This morning, I was trying to help Nathan work a rather difficult jigsaw puzzle.  He kept saying, “Don’t help me, Debbie…I will do it myself.”  So I sat down to watch…and ever-so-subtly (or so I thought!), I would slide a couple of pieces toward him that I had interlocked.  Soon, I heard Nathan begin to sniffle.  “What’s wrong, Buddy?” I asked.  “You don’t love me anymore!”  “Why, of course I do!” I reassured him.  “Why would you think I don’t love you?”  “Because you don’t think I can work this puzzle by myself…and I can!”

I sat and watched him struggle with the pieces. Nathan tried to work “from the inside out,” so I would suggest that this piece or that one might make a border.  Finally, he began to get the hang of it.  More than once, I had to squelch my urge to “assist”.  It was hard to watch that little guy struggle with this task.  I knew that I could help him work that puzzle in no time.  But at the same time, I knew that he had to do this…he had to endure the frustration of learning to do it himself.  And when he was finished, I “high-fived” him and praised him…and his little face beamed with pride.

I know it’s a stretch to use this illustration to comment on today’s scripture passage.  But here’s the thing.  God could fix so many things in our lives…but sometimes He understands that we have to struggle with them while He looks on so that we grow in our faith and more perfectly appreciate His love and care.  God knows our heartaches and difficulties before they happen – just as He knew that Jesus would suffer horrific torture and abuse at the hands of the Roman soldiers. 

Did God cause this to happen?  Does He intend for us to get sick, lose our homes and jobs, go off to war, have terrible accidents and get involved in toxic relationships?  Does God mean for us to struggle or be orphaned, abused and mistreated?  The answer to all of these questions is a resounding, “NO!”  But God allows these things in order to demonstrate to us and others His incredible power to rescue us…to comfort us in our pain and suffering…to heal us and set us upright mentally, physically, and emotionally.  In this manner, God sets us free and raises us to life over and again.  God will NEVER leave us!

So while some would contend that God deserted His Only Son and left Jesus to suffer and die, scripture tells us that this was not the case.  Yes, He knew what would happen…but He also knew the next chapter…and the next.  And God knows what happens in every chapter of your life and mine…and He wants us to count on Him to “slip us the next piece of the puzzle”…to heal us and repair our brokenness. 

Because of what God did for Jesus, we have hope and confidence that He will do these things for us.  We have joy that we are the children of such a powerful and mighty God who loves us so very much that He will never let us falter…if only we will trust Him.  Hard to do sometimes?  You betcha! Worth it all in the end? Absolutely!  Are you trusting God to help you with your “life puzzles?”  Isn’t it time you did?

©2016 Debbie Robus

Daily Devotional for February 6, 2016

Revelation 14:12
Let this encourage God’s people to endure patiently every trial and persecution, for they are his saints who remain firm to the end in obedience to his commands and trust in Jesus.”

The Living Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Timothy is spending a long-overdue Saturday with “My Debbie” and “My Greg,” as he calls us.  He came to our house after school on Friday and spent the night.  We are pretty well doing whatever he pleases – within reason (he did want to go shopping for more toys, and that didn’t happen!) – and we are enjoying a break from “regular life” and the sadness that has filled our hearts and minds lately.  Greg and I have both commented that the children have been a great diversion and source of joy for us in the last several weeks, and we have thanked God for His blessings.

Seven-year-old boys are not the most patient lot (and three-year-old little brothers are even less so, as Nathan reminds us on his weekly visits!)  So this morning as I prepared the chocolate chip pancakes and bacon that Timothy and his Greg requested for breakfast, Timothy reminded me several times that “I’m hungry!  I can’t wait!”  I would tell him, “I’m working on it…the wait will be worth it!”  But he was not convinced. “Oh! Oh! I’m STARVING!” he complained dramatically.  I even gave him a cup of hot cocoa and some chocolate chips to tide him over (yes, we spoil him rotten on these visits!)…but he was still adamant that he needed his breakfast – NOW!

Trust me…this kid was in no distress – much less, any danger of starvation!  But we grown-ups are often so much like him in the situations and circumstances of our own lives.  We think we cannot bear what is happening to us…and we often whine and complain and cry out to God, “When will this be over?  When will you rescue me?”  God gives us more blessings and joys than we deserve – like “chocolate chips and hot cocoa to tide us over” – but still, we are impatient.

Sometimes, in our restlessness and mistrust, we misbehave and disobey… or even turn our backs on God.  After all, He took too long to answer us…right?  At the very least, we question His timing and plans…we gripe and complain…and we lose heart. Some of this is normal…human nature…our sinful side in action.  None of us is perfect, after all.

But we do need to listen to the words of this passage…to learn to operate in patience – even in the midst of trials -  and yes, “persecution”…to remain firm to the end in obedience to God’s commands…to always trust in Jesus.  I can tell you from personal experience that this is often hard…that some days are better than others.  But every day that we stay close to God and operate in His will and trust Him for perfect outcomes is better than our “best” day without Him. 

Not all days will be “chocolate chip pancake and bacon” days with God.  But when we make our best effort to spend each day with “My God”, He will supply our every need – and then some.  We.Can.Do.This!  No matter how hard “life” seems, God will equip us for it if we will let Him.  Are you with me?

©2016 Debbie Robus 

Daily Devotional for December 14, 2015

Hebrews 11:7
Noah was another who trusted God. When he heard God’s warning about the future, Noah believed him even though there was then no sign of a flood, and wasting no time, he built the ark and saved his family. Noah’s belief in God was in direct contrast to the sin and disbelief of the rest of the world—which refused to obey—and because of his faith he became one of those whom God has accepted.

The Living Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

The other day, Timothy asked me why God allows sin. “Why doesn’t He just take away everybody’s sin for good?” he asked me.  My response was that God wants us to have “free will” – He wants us to choose NOT to sin and to ASK  for His forgiveness.  This tells God that we love Him and serve Him because we want to…not because we’re afraid of Him.  Timothy also wanted to know why God lets people suffer.  Again, I explained that God does not allow this because He is mean.  I told Timothy that I believe that God uses our suffering for something good…but we may never know why this is for sure until we get to heaven.  He seemed okay with these answers.

I told Timothy that someday soon, he will probably ask God to forgive all of his sins and make Jesus his “Forever Friend.”  He said, “Oh, I’ve already done that!”  “You have?” I asked. “That’s great!  When did you do this?” Timothy replied matter-of-factly…”When I was two!”  I smiled and told him that was wonderful - and he changed the subject, as six-year-olds do!

In this precious little boy’s heart, He and God are “square.”  I have a feeling that Timothy will continue to grow in his faith and understanding of God, and that he will have many more questions. Like most of us, his faith will waver from time to time…but in total, I believe that Jesus will always be his “Forever Friend”…and he will serve Him faithfully. Hopefully Timothy will grow in his discipleship to a point where he would actually build an ark and gather the animals if God told him to do so!

I marvel at the depth of understanding that this little boy has…and how many people several decades older than he seem to have little to no grasp of what it really means to trust God. I am thankful that our children are already discovering how important it is to fully rely on God and obey Him…and I pray that they continue to grow in wisdom and dedication to serving Him completely.

I don’t know that my answers to Timothy about why God allows sin and suffering were all that substantial. I silently whispered a prayer before I spoke and trusted God to give me the words that this little boy needed at the moment.  But what I really wanted to convey - and what I want you to understand - is that a lot of the “whys and wherefores” of our relationship with God cannot be fully explained.  This doesn’t negate them in any way.  Much of our relationship with God is based in complete, unabashed faith…in things we cannot see and understand, and in God’s ability to “make a way where we see none.” This is a hard thing to explain – to someone who is six or 96!

The best way to understand God’s plans and to strengthen our faith is to exercise it.  When things happen…when suffering comes or challenges arise…we must trust God.  When we feel Him telling us to “go this way” or “choose XYZ,” we have to obediently follow His lead.  The more we do these things, the more we will choose God’s ways over our own sinful ones…and the more we will grow in confidence that He is guiding our steps. 

My prayer is that we will each take the first steps today to begin to strengthen our faith. Listen to God’s voice…trust Him even in the hard things that come your way. Let go of your fears and embrace God completely.  Rest in the rhythms and grace of your “Forever Friend,” and discover the great things that He has in store for you.  God will probably never call on any of us to build an ark…but if He should, we will be ready!

©2015 Debbie Robus