DEBUT (Part 4 of 4) – The Present
This four part devotion focuses on the outlook Christians should maintain concerning the past, the present and the future. Part 1, posted on February 23, provided an introduction to this series and presented our primary text (Psalm 63). We looked back to the past in Part 2 (posted on March 1). Part 3 was posted on March 8 and focused on the future. So now we ponder the present.
Part 4: Acknowledge the Present (Concentrate on Our Purposes Today)
What is most of your effort focused on? What do you spend the majority of your time thinking about? What motivates your decisions? What do you need more than anything else to feel satisfied?
As Christians, our goal is to be able to answer each of these questions honestly and with one word, God. None of us will fully achieve this goal until we are in heaven. But the purpose of today, right now, this very second, is to diligently seek God with all that we are, driven by a sincere desire to make Him the priority in every part of our lives.
Our ultimate purpose is to glorify God by becoming more like Christ. We accomplish this by:
- Aligning who we are on the inside with who and what God has gifted, commanded and empowered us to be.
- Making sure what people see on the outside reflects what God has made us on the inside.
- Praying that, in His strength, all we do today will glorify God for eternity.
The Purpose of Today (Walking with God)
Verses 1 – 5 in Psalm 63 prescribe our passions in the present.
1 O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is;
- Acknowledge who God is – Deuteronomy 6:4-5
- The LORD is our master, love and serve Him with all that you are.
- Diligently seek Him – Hebrews 11:6
- Nothing is more important than pursing Jehovah.
- Hunger and thirst for Him – Psalm 42:1-2
- Genuine longing for God is a gift. Pray for it. Cherish it once you have it.
- Observe His power and glory – Matthew 9:20-22
- There is no luck. There are no coincidences. Acknowledge His sovereignty and power.
- Appreciate His love and blessings – Psalm 100:4-5
- Soaking in His blessings should empower you to praise Him with thanksgiving.
- Praise Him with word and song – Psalm 150:1-6
- Eventually, everyone and everything will praise Him. Start praising Him now.
- Adore and exalt Him – Psalm 46:10
- Don’t be ashamed. Let your love for Him show.
- Enjoy His blessings and give praise to Him with joy – Psalm 34:8-9
- True and lasting satisfaction is only found in Jesus Christ.
Applying these fundamental actions and attitudes every day will lead to a life that honors God through obedience, service, thanksgiving, peace and praise.
Epilogue
Psalm 63 provides helpful guidance for a proper (but not exhaustive) Biblical view of our actions and attitudes regarding the past, the present and the future. Although we only play a small part in the grand scheme of eternity, each of us is infinitely important to God (as evidenced by Christ's incarnation and the existence of scripture). Here is a final summary of the key concepts from this devotion.
Reflecting Back
- Appreciate the Past (We can’t Change Yesterday)
- Learn from the past, don’t dwell on it.
- The Power of Yesterday (The Testimony of God’s Faithfulness)
- Celebrate previous blessings from God.
- Anticipate the Future (We don’t Control Tomorrow)
- Walk into the future trusting in Him.
- The Promise of Tomorrow (The Certainty of God’s Plan)
- Don’t worry, all the big questions about the future have been answered in His Word.
- Acknowledge the Present (Concentrate on Our Purposes Today)
- Accept the responsibilities and privileges that come with being who and what God has called us to be.
- The Purpose of Today (Walking with God)
- We must live today, through His grace, like we really believe what we believe.
Prayer
Father, all I think and do and say and desire is worthless if it doesn’t glorify and honor You. I pray that in Your love and grace, my view of the past, present and future will show humility and gratitude for all that You are and all that You have done, are doing, and will do for me. I fall down and You reach to where I am. I turn my back and You are there. I don’t understand and You give peace. I have needs and You meet them all. Thanks for giving me the ability to love you by loving me first. In the name of my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, AMEN.
