Mid-week Devotional:
Week of July 14, 2025
Each year we journey north to Minnesota I marvel at the new growth I see on the trees where we stay. The trees are bombarded by wind, sleet, snow, insect infestations, temperatures of 35 below zero during the winter and 95 above zero in the summer. There are times of too much moisture causing flooding like last year and there are times of too little moisture resulting in droughts and cracks in the soil. Each year we return to Minnesota the older trees are bigger around and taller plus there are more small saplings growing in the middle of the pastures. The changes we see in the living world surrounding us in Minnesota remind us that life continues when we are not here. We are reminded that what God set into motion at the dawn of creation continues; God’s way is perfect. Changes will occur within our lives and we are each given the choice on how we respond.
Scripture for this week’s Mid-week Devotional comes from the Old Testament book of 1 Samuel.
Hear the Word of God from 1 Samuel 22:31-32.
“31 This God – his way is perfect; the promise of the LORD proves true; he is a shield for all who take refuge in him. 32 For who is God, but the LORD? And who is a rock, except our God?”
This is God’s word for God’s people. Thanks be to God. AMEN.
My brother planted a field of oats here in late March. Temperatures during the day in March averaged 46’ and 25’ at night. My brother did not water the seeds, nor did he heat the soil where he planted the seeds. But as we walk alongside the field of oats each morning we see a field ready for harvest. Each stalk of oats came from one seed and each stalk is at least 4 feet tall. Each stalk of oats contains 30 to 50 pods with a seed in each one.
Each seed of oats contains within its cells the promise of another oat plant “if” … the seed lands on fertile soil … “if” the air and soil temperature are not too hot or too cold… “if” the seed receives enough water for germination and growth… “if” the seed is protected from harm from surrounding animals and insects. There are a lot of “ifs” for each seed that my brother planted.
The seed has no control of the “ifs” just like you and I cannot control the “ifs” within our daily lives.
There will be times when there will be sorrow and pain in our lives.
There will be times when it will feel like the world is unraveling.
Scripture, God’s holy Word, reminds each of us that what God set into motion at the dawn of creation continues.
Scripture, God’s holy Word, reminds each of us that God does not promise that life will be easy.
There will be times when there will be sorrow and pain within the world we live. But what God promises to do is to remain beside those “who take refuge in him” (v. 31).
God promises to be beside each who seek God’s presence every step they take on their journey of faith; their journey of life. God promises to be their shield.
The question for each of us to consider in the days ahead is… how do we respond when an event occurs in our lives unexpectantly?
Do we blame the world around us and give up or do we lean upon God’s holy presence, “our rock, and our shield” that surrounds us (v. 31, 32)?
Peace be with you.
AMEN.