Author: J Brad Mitchell

There are quite a few things which can keep me up at night.  I don’t know about you, but I can be awakened from a deep sleep thinking about something that needed to be done or something that is pressing.  It is hard to dismiss those thoughts once they make their appearance.  No matter how tired I am, there seems to be a replay of the things on my list or the items which are most urgent.  Peaceful sleep becomes a welcome gift in the middle of the chaos.

The Psalmist must have understood what it was to be awakened in the middle of the night – staring at the ceiling – worrying about things which should not be worried about.  But instead of focusing on the worries, he calls attention to the goodness of God.  He is thinking and meditating on God.  He is filled with joy and songs consume his heart.  God has been his help.  He is being held by God, protected with this almighty hand.  

Maybe this is the origination of the theme of gratefulness as we drift off to sleep.  Considering God’s works can be a powerful reminder of how God is always with us.  Being reminded of his goodness helps us understand he is not leaving us.  Bringing to mind how he has protected us can bring a sense of safety.  This is much better to fill our minds than the worries and concerns which overwhelm us and awaken us in a cold sweat.  This is a relief when our souls are so wearied.  

How has God been there for you?  How has he protected you, shown you his goodness, reminded you of his presence?  Where is God working in your life?  May we be awakened today by the love of God.  May it consume our minds and fill us with goodness.  May we let the cares and concerns of this world go and replace it all with gratefulness.

Focus Scripture:

Psalm 63:5-8

⁵ My soul is satisfied as with a rich feast, 
    and my mouth praises you with joyful lips
⁶ when I think of you on my bed,
    and meditate on you in the watches of the night;
⁷ for you have been my help,
    and in the shadow of your wings I sing for joy.
⁸ My soul clings to you;
    your right hand upholds me.

Photos included in Devotions are captured by David Cain – The Cain Gallery.  Photos are available for sale by contacting The Cain Gallery

How much we want something will determine how much effort we are willing to put into it.  If we really want to achieve a degree, we will spend endless hours in study and dedication in order to achieve the goal.  If I want to run farther or faster, I will make sure I put in the practice and mileage in order to be successful.  If I want to become a better husband or father, I spend time with my wife and children – showing them love and caring for them.  If we have a deep desire for something, we spend time, effort, money and the like to achieve it.  

But I wonder how much we desire God.  In today’s focus scripture, this is the first verse of the Psalm.  In this one verse, the Psalmist invokes this image of striving for God.  The words give you the sense that there is a struggle and much effort put towards being in God’s presence and knowing him more.  The idea of seeking, thirsting and fainting remind me there is a deep desire that requires all of the Psalmist.  This kind of striving is usually only found when there is a great need, a problem in life.  Usually people will seek God when they have exhausted all other avenues.  It is as if God is the last choice in a lineup of options.  

What if we have this longing to know God daily?  What if we strive like this when everything is going great?  What might it look like to thirst for God, to seek him with every part of our being?  Our lives might look quite different.  We may find we see God’s presence abounding.  We may realize he has been with us all along.  We just might understand what he means when he promised to never leave us.  Strive on, my friends.  God is here.

Focus Scripture:

Psalm 63:1

¹ O God, you are my God, I seek you,
    my soul thirsts for you;
my flesh faints for you,
    as in a dry and weary land where there is no water.

Photos included in Devotions are captured by David Cain – The Cain Gallery.  Photos are available for sale by contacting The Cain Gallery

This morning, my watch wanted to act up.  Electronics seem to do that fairly frequently for me.  I know what they are made to do.  I know how they should work.  But all too often, it doesn’t happen.  This morning, my watch was ‘stuck’ on the screen used to turn it on.  It is a small triangle that should turn into the regular screen.  But the triangle stayed and nothing else happened.  It is at this point that I am tempted to press the buttons incessantly until something happens.  Or hold all the buttons down at one time to see if it will simply reboot.  I am always willing to press buttons to see if I get some outcome. This morning – nothing happened – nothing.  Same triangle continued on the same screen with no reaction to my button pushing at all.  

I had not had my coffee yet, so I found it best to put it aside and fix the magic bean potion.  Nothing good really comes before coffee anyway.  I left it on the counter and went on about my business.  In a few minutes, I returned to the same screen.  I walked away – again.  Upon a third return, you guessed it, same screen, same triangle.  This time, though, it did reboot when I pressed the button to turn it on.  Apparently it needed me to leave it alone for a little while.  It must have been in a mood and was not going to work despite my frustration.  Or maybe I simply was a little more kind since coffee was making its way into my system.  At any rate, it worked.  

I am reminded that it can be helpful to walk away.  There are some situations where we become so involved we cannot see a solution or think clearly.  We are determined to fix something we look past the answer.  We press every button we know only to find ourselves frustrated and ready to throw it all away.  There are times when walking away is the best option.  It allows time to think.  It gives time to refocus and reconsider.  It often helps us to not say or do something we will later regret.  I get it isn’t always possible to walk away.  But I would guess there are many more opportunities to walk away than we might acknowledge.  

Consider if walking away, even for  a moment, might help you gain clarity.  Walk away so when you step back in, you are prepared and ready.  We might just find things fix themselves if we would get out of the way.  We might find our attitude needed the fix all along.

Focus Scripture:

John 8:7-9

⁷ When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, “Let anyone among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.” ⁸ And once again he bent down and wrote on the ground.⁹ When they heard it, they went away, one by one, beginning with the elders; and Jesus was left alone with the woman standing before him.

Photos included in Devotions are captured by David Cain – The Cain Gallery.  Photos are available for sale by contacting The Cain Gallery

It has been a long time ago – or it at least feels that way.  I remember vividly the days of sitting in school waiting for my name to be called.  The teacher goes methodically through the roll trying to see who is absent and who is present.  As each name was called, we announce our presence.  It didn’t necessarily mean we were completely present, it simply meant we occupied a seat.  We filled a space.  For that moment, our physical bodies found a resting place among others in that room.  We were sort-of present.  

Too many of our days are filled with being sort-of present.  We flow through life without really paying attention.  We show up to be counted among the bodies who made an appearance.  But our minds, our whole beings don’t always make the same appearance.  We are just here, going through the monotony of another day.  It is in these times we miss the joys, the celebrations, the opportunities to see God at work.  We miss it when we are stuck in a routine which we haven’t broken through to see the goodness of God.  It often happens and we don’t even realize it.  We wake up and years have passed and we wonder where all the time went.  We are simply passing through.  

But it doesn’t have to be this way.  We can be present and accounted for.  We can be present, with an awareness of how God has given us this precious day – a day he has made.  We can be present to see, really see, what a treasure we have been given.  When we are completely present, we are made aware of how we are loved and cared for.  We begin to see how God is making and remaking – creating and renewing – reshaping and molding – all for good.  We may even see how God is using us in his work.  It comes when we are present.  

Will you be present and accounted for today?  You may be surprised at all the joys which abound.

Focus Scripture:

Psalm 57:7-9

⁷ My heart is steadfast, O God,
    my heart is steadfast.
I will sing and make melody.
⁸     Awake, my soul!
Awake, O harp and lyre!
    I will awake the dawn.
⁹ I will give thanks to you, O Lord, among the peoples;
    I will sing praises to you among the nations.

Photos included in Devotions are captured by David Cain – The Cain Gallery.  Photos are available for sale by contacting The Cain Gallery

Our world can feel in such turmoil and chaos.  We see the display of hatred splattered over our nightly news.  We sense the tension as we try to go about our daily lives in the middle of a pandemic.  It feels anything but peaceful.  This may be the last thing we feel or experience – peace.  Yet, we are taught differently.  We may even know there is a possibility of something different.  But we may not know how to get there.  God does.

We see over and over where God speaks peace over his people.  They are not often obedient.  They are often in distress (sometimes or often caused by their own stubbornness).  They go the wrong way and must be brought back.  And yet, God brings peace in the middle of the chaos.  The Psalmist in today’s focus scripture was trying to capture this.  He was straining to hear what God was speaking – as God spoke peace over his people.  There was a desire for his steadfast love and salvation from the turmoil.  They longed for his direction – a direction that meant peace and steadfast love.  I find myself longing for the same thing.

Jesus spoke peace over many painful and scary situations.  People were baffled over the power he had to cut through the madness with peace – a peace which sent their heads spinning.  He calmed storms and raging seas – “Peace! Be Still!” he exclaimed.  He brought peace to those who were tormented by demons.  He brought peace to those who were frightened.  He brought peace to those who were searching and longing for something more.  

I am reminded this peace is not dependent on me.  Humans create chaos – God creates peace.  This isn’t something I fix or do.  This is something I give to God for him to repair.  He is the ultimate creator and when he speaks, life happens.  I seek peace by seeking God.  He speaks peace out of his steadfast love.  I just want to be a conduit of his peace.  

May his peace wash over us today.  May he speak peace in our fears.  May God create peace in our hearts.  May we sense his love.  May we be changed.

Focus Scripture:

Psalm 85:7-9

⁷ Show us your steadfast love, O Lord,
    and grant us your salvation.

⁸ Let me hear what God the Lord will speak,
    for he will speak peace to his people,
    to his faithful, to those who turn to him in their hearts. 
⁹ Surely his salvation is at hand for those who fear him,
    that his glory may dwell in our land.

Photos included in Devotions are captured by David Cain – The Cain Gallery.  Photos are available for sale by contacting The Cain Gallery

We are often given lessons in God’s creation – moments to remember just how powerful God really is.  We can look at the vastness of the sea, waters as far as the eye will go.  Waves roll in and out, creatures fill the salty waters.  It is a sight to behold.  The mountains remind us of the majesty of God – towering over the land. Yet there is such a peace as we gaze up at the peaks.  We are given the privilege to experience this beauty and wonder.  We are presented hope as we see how God has shaped and formed the lands.  We can be filled with joy by spending time in all the God has given us, all that is around us which he made – not us.  

The Psalmists apparently spent much time outside in God’s creation.  Many of the writings draw from the magnificence of all God has presented.  Strength is renewed by the power of the Almighty as one gazes at the earth.  There is so much to learn about God by spending time in his creation.  He speaks to us and gives us life as we honor and respect all he has given us to tend.  We feel his love in the moments of the day when we understand we are one of his creations as well.  We are a joy to him.  He continues to shape and mold us just as he does all we see around us.

Today’s focus scripture is one of my favorites.  It is a reminder to look and feel and sense the power of God.  It is an invitation to become a part of all God is doing.  It is a warm blanket on a cold day, caring and providing us with exactly what we need.  I look up to the hills, searching for my help.  My help comes from the Lord.  My help, just what I need, comes from God.  It might be right before me, if only I look and listen.  It may be surrounding me if I will pay attention.  The Psalms are full of these moments of capturing God’s work in creation.  What can we capture today if we pay attention?  I am looking to the hills – that is where my help comes from.

Focus Scripture:

Psalm 121:1-2

¹ I lift up my eyes to the mountains—
    where does my help come from?
² My help comes from the Lord,
    the Maker of heaven and earth.

Photos included in Devotions are captured by David Cain – The Cain Gallery.  Photos are available for sale by contacting The Cain Gallery

I remember taking swimming lessons as a kid.  They were in a pool outside and my most vivid memory was feeling as if I might freeze.  I was a super skinny kid so you would think I would swim well.  To sum it up, I could sink like a rock.  When we were taught to tread water, I worked twice as hard as everyone else just to keep from sinking.  Learning to float on my back was even more special.  I was taught to relax, just let the body float.  That’s great advice if you are not sinking and water is filling up your face.  As it turns out, I would learn to swim fairly well.  As an adult, it is one of my favorite things to do.  But I must admit, I still can’t relax when I float on my back.  Yep, I still sink like a rock.  Apparently lots of extra pounds and some experience do not make up for me being able to float.  

It can be scary to feel like you are sinking.  There is a panic that quickly sets in when you don’t feel like you can keep your head above water.  That’s exactly the feeling we can get when we feel like life is overtaking us as well.  It doesn’t have to be in water.  It can feel like the demands of the day are overwhelming.  We can get the sense that our grief will swallow us up whole.  We may feel like we are drowning in our sorrows or anxieties.  Stress can come as waves washing over our already worn out souls.  To hear we need to relax can seem so contradictory.  We are sinking!  Why would we relax?

Relaxing, for me, doesn’t always seem to be a viable option.  But there is still a solution.  We begin to look up.  We search for a rescue.  We cry out for help in our distress.  We will be heard.  We will not have to face this alone.  God hears our cries.  The Psalmist in today’s focus scripture understands this.  God reaches down and rescues out of deep waters.  God will not let us go.  When we call on him, he rescues.  The waves of our distress cannot overtake us when God can calm the seas.  

May you feel his presence and be rescued by his love.  May you breathe, knowing God is taking care of you.

Focus Scripture:

Psalm 18:16

He reached down from on high and took hold of me;
    he drew me out of deep waters.

Photos included in Devotions are captured by David Cain – The Cain Gallery.  Photos are available for sale by contacting The Cain Gallery

Views can be distorted.  It can be the way we see things in an instant.  It could be something from our past causes us to see or detect things in a particular way.  What we see, someone else may look past.  Yet, what someone else notices may have gone unnoticed by us.  When I am out early in the morning, images are not always as they seem.  Objects which may look like animals may be trash along the side of the road.  Small animals are often disguised until they decide to dash away as I approach.  So much is left unnoticed in the rhythm of my footsteps.  Yet, they are all there.  Just because we do not see something doesn’t mean it isn’t there.  It simply means we have missed it.  

I often think I miss the beautiful wonders of God because I only see what is in my immediate and limited view. I don’t always take the time to really look, sense his presence all around.  I am not always aware of the miraculous ways in which he moves.  I am usually just paying attention to what is right in front of me, even if I am misinterpreting it.  

Slowing down helps.  Taking a moment to notice our environment and the good which surrounds us is important.  But just as important is listening.  God’s still small voice often thunders in our world if we only notice.  Since he is light, he is showing us the way.  Since there is no darkness in him, we are given clear direction.  With his light, we begin to see him.  We begin to open our view to something other than our limited perspective.  We begin to see him more clearly.  He is with us, have you noticed?  Listen carefully, he is lighting the way.

Focus Scripture:

1 John 1:5

⁵ This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all.

Photos included in Devotions are captured by David Cain – The Cain Gallery.  Photos are available for sale by contacting The Cain Gallery

Life can feel like all the lights have gone out and someone moved all the furniture.  We stumble through, trying to feel our way to the next place.  All is unsure.  We are trying to get a sense of what is around and how to maneuver to the next place.  The dark is real dark and any glimmer of light would help.  But muddling through, it can feel so lonely.  

These are the times when a small spark could change our entire world.  A simple flame would illuminate our path, opening our eyes to see things are not as we had imagined.  In the dark, we create images and scenes which may not even be real.  In the light, we see we are not alone.  We see we have a guide on this path.  We see there are treasures all around us.  All of these things are hidden in the dark, but come to life in just a little light.

For me, Jesus brings this light.  We stumble in our grief.  We fall over our anxiety.  Our fears weigh us down.  We are afraid to even move, it is so very dark.  And then a spark changes everything.  God sends us just what we need to see a little more.  We are given simple joys which ignite our spirits and show us the next step.  We don’t need to see the whole path – that could be daunting.  All we need to know is God is with us and he lights the way.  

Jesus is our light when we find ourselves covered in darkness.  He is our hope when there seems to be no way hope could exist.  He is our peace when all of the rest of our world is in chaos.  He is our joy when sorrow is all we feel.  He is our light.  Our light will show us the way.  Our light reminds us this is not the end.  Our light gives us a glimmer into the beauty all around.  

May the Light guide you on your path today.  May your joys be illuminated.  May your hopes be ignited.  May you see you are not alone.

Focus Scripture:

John 8:12

¹² Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life.” 

Photos included in Devotions are captured by David Cain – The Cain Gallery.  Photos are available for sale by contacting The Cain Gallery

Loving God should be easy.  But it’s not.  We think of love in a conditional sense.  We feel loved when… Someone shows love by… We know they love us because… We take those same concepts and apply them to God.  The rules don’t apply, though.  God doesn’t work by our rules and doesn’t mold to fit our ideas (thankfully).  His love doesn’t work the same way.  He does have expectations of his children.  He does redirect when we go off course.  There are consequences for our mistakes.  These are all for us.  It does not change his love for us, though.  

God doesn’t love us because…  God just loves us.  He doesn’t need a reason.  He doesn’t need an excuse.  And his love is steady and sure.  So when things don’t go well, God is still love.  When our entire lives fall off track, he is there to help pick up the pieces.  When we completely lose all understanding of his love, he continues to love us.  

These are things which should baffle us but also bring us to a place of gratefulness and peace.  We didn’t earn his love so we don’t un-earn his love.  He does not work like we do.  He is exactly the One we need when all else fails.  God loves you.  God loves me.

Out of this, how could we not love him?  We struggle because we don’t understand.  We fight against his love because things are a mess.  We push him away because we are hurt or damaged or simply broken.  We strive against the One who welcomes us home.  Yet, he continues to love.  

What a gift it is to be loved more than we could ever imagine.  What might it look like to truly begin to love God with our all?  What does it feel like to love him in spite of… ?  What does it mean to love God with our strength – all that we have that we can muster?  How might we love God because he first loved us?

Focus Scripture:

1 John 4:19

¹⁹ We love because he first loved us.

Photos included in Devotions are captured by David Cain – The Cain Gallery.  Photos are available for sale by contacting The Cain Gallery