THE PERSPECTIVE OF SCRIPTURE
Carey Madding
Today’s Scripture: “Casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.” 1 Peter5:7, NKJV
Theme: Do not look ahead with dread. Trust in the strong arms of the Lord.
GUIDING VERSES
There are two Bible verses that I consider my life verses. Not my “favorite” verses, because who could choose what is most or least important in the Word of God? But these verses guide my emotions, actions, and reactions. One reminds me what NOT to do, while the other encourages me to turn to God.
TRUST IN THE NAME
Psalm 20:7 (ESV) proclaims, “Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.” This reminds me of the many things I might be tempted to rely on before I turn to my heavenly Father: savings accounts, security systems, job security, reputation, and my own strength. God does not intend for me to go it alone nor fight my battles by myself. He is my Rock and Defender. “The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?” (Psalm 27:1, ESV). When fear threatens to overwhelm, I recall that I am to trust in the Name of the Lord my God. When success tempts me to pride, I am to remember that all I have comes from His mighty hand.
CAST ALL MY CARE
My second guiding verse is this: “Casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you” (1 Peter5:7, NKJV). As we think about the new year, there are concerns about personal health, finances, global issues like wars, famine, climate change, and human trafficking. We can become incapacitated with anxiety and a sense of helplessness. But I find if I give all this anxiety- very specific worries or vague angst- to Him, He gives me peace. He gives me next steps. He gives me specific actions to make a change. Instead of fretting, I am doing. But I am not just making busy work to fool myself. I am feeding a hungry child or contributing to care for refugees. I am supporting local good works. Maybe I am even taking steps to improve my own physical health. In any event, they are actionable, useful steps, not useless fretting.
Make It Personal: Is there a verse that God has been putting before you recently? It keeps popping up in your devotions or in worship music? Ask Him if this verse is for you in this year or season. Write it down. Memorize it. Stick it on a post it note in your car or on your bathroom mirror. Then be a doer, not just a hearer, of the verse that God has given you!
Pray: Lord, as we look toward a New Year and a clean slate, please guide us. Give us Your Word and Your Presence. Help us live an abundant life, full of Your peace and sensing Your love and pleasure. In Jesus’ precious Name I pray, amen.
Read: Psalm 119:10-16, 18, 44-45, 103-105
Weekly Memory Verse: “Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:13-14, ESV