Verse of the Day 6/29

Through the Bible - Job 18-20, Acts 9:32-10:8

 

Good morning,

In yesterday's devotional we considered Jesus Christ as the "Captain of our soul".  He is directing us along a course in this life.  I read the following excerpt from J.R.R. Tolkien's  "Lord of the Rings" a blog from Ray Ortlund , "The brave things in the old tales and songs, Mr. Frodo: adventures, as I used to call them.  I used to think that they were things the wonderful folk of the stories went out and looked for, because they wanted them, because they were exciting and life was a bit dull, a kind of sport, as you might say.  But that's not the way of it with the tales that really mattered, or the ones that stay in the mind.  Folk seem to have been just landed in them, usually — their paths were laid that way, as you put it.  But I expect they had lots of chances, like us, of turning back, only they didn't.  And if they had, we shouldn't know, because they'd have been forgotten. '"

 

So it is in our lives.  We don't look for those times to be brave, most often we fall into them or they happen to us.  How we react is what matters.  It wiil be remembered most when we react in faith and hope.

I've spent some time over the past few days thinking about Philippians 4 and the peace that passes understanding and songs like "It is Well With My Soul".  The peace of God ruling in our hearts is also a necessary component in those times.  It is a peace that is not stationary, it flows like a river.

Today's verse comes from Philippians chapter 4 and it is about putting into practice what we've learned from Jesus and from others who followed and depended upon God through the ages.

 

Philippians 4:9 Practice what you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, and model your way of living on it, and the God of peace (of untroubled, undisturbed well-being) will be with you,..  Amplified Bible

 

If Horatio Spafford had turned back, turned away from God in his trials we would have never heard the following words that have comforted and strengthened so many through the years.

 

When peace like a river, attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.

 

Blessings,
Mike

mikevw@bellsouth.net
mikesvotd.blogspot.com

⁴ Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!
⁵ Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand.
⁶ Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; ⁷ and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Meditate on These Things

⁸ Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things. ⁹ The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you.