Devotional 180209

Dear brothers and sisters,
Good morning. The weather is so beautiful after the rain. Appreciation of the Nature or Creation of God is part of devotional exercise. Of course, the focus is not on the work of His creation only. Instead, we let the work of His creation lead us to the appreciation of our Creator God. As we appreciate the beauty of His creation, we thank God for giving us the senses to perceive and respond to His amazing artwork. The book of Genesis tells us that God created the Garden of Eden or the Nature for Adam and Eve to enjoy. The Nature is His cradle for mankind; it is a sign of His provision and love. Therefore, while we still have breath, let us enjoy this life that He has given to us for His glory.

"Rise, let us go! " (Matthew 26:46a) The disciples went to sleep when they should have kept awake, and when they realized what they had done it produced despair. The sense of the irreparable failure is apt to make us despair, and we say - "It is all up now, it is no use trying any more." If we imagine that this kind of despair is exceptional, we are mistaken, it is a very ordinary human experience. Whenever we realize that we have not done that which we had a magnificent opportunity of doing, then we are apt to sink into despair; and Jesus Christ comes and says - "Are you still sleeping and resting? Look, the hour is near, that opportunity you failed to capture is lost for ever, you cannot alter it, but arise and go to the next thing." Let the past sleep, but let that failure sleep on the bosom of Christ, and go out into the irresistible future with Him.

There are experiences like this in each of our lives. We are in despair, the despair that comes from actualities, and we cannot lift ourselves out of it. The disciples in this instance had done a downright unforgivable thing; they had gone to sleep instead of watching with Jesus, but He came with a spiritual initiative against their despair and said - "Arise and do the next thing." If we are inspired of God, what is the next thing? Learn to trust Him absolutely and to pray on the ground of His Redemption.

Never let the sense of failure corrupt your new action. Arise and move forward with our Master. If he allowed us to experience failure in the past, he would give us new and greater opportunity in the future to serve Him. Don’t let our past failure to cripple us from moving forward in life. Let the past bury our past. Go and follow the Lord today. Otherwise, you will regret for not capturing the opportunity that is available to you in this moment. “Wake up, O sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you. Be very careful, then, how you live--not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil” (Eph 5:14-16).

Love you in Christ,
Lawrence