Anything and Everything

Daily Reading:  2 Chronicles 6

When heaven is shut up and there is no rain because they have sinned against you, if they pray toward this place and acknowledge your name and turn from their sin, when you afflict them, then hear in heaven and forgive the sin of your servants... (2 Chronicles 6.26-27)

Devotional Thought: In this prayer of dedication, Solomon thanks the Lord for His faithfulness so that the aspiration birthed in his father’s heart could be brought to fruition.  And as he moves through the prayer, he highlights a number of different life scenarios that might prompt people, in the years to come, to come to the Temple and reach out to God.  In each instance, he implores God to hear from heaven and act.

Those potential circumstances include when there’s a relational falling out or international rift … when they’re experiencing hardship because they’ve disobeyed and turned their backs on God … when the weather doesn’t cooperate with their agricultural pursuits, or some pestilence threatens the well-being of their crops.  In each circumstance, the appeal is for God to hear and respond appropriately.

Which raises the question:  Are we free to come to God with anything and everything?  Or are there some things we opt to keep to ourselves?  Are we open and transparent with Him about what’s happening in every arena of life?  Or are there some spheres where we choose to be hazy or discreet and keep Him at arm’s length?

For God to be God means there’s nothing in life that’s too big that He can’t do something about, and nothing so trivial or inconsequential that He doesn’t care about.  As Solomon prayed for the people who’d use the Temple to realize, let us remember God is a God we can turn to with anything and everything.

John Whitsett

Prayer: Lord, the Bible teaches me that you created all the vast reaches of the universe and that you also care about the sparrow that falls to the ground.  Help me to remember that you created me and care about me - in anything and in everything.  Amen

Psalm of the Day: Psalm 61:1-8

1 Hear my cry, O God, listen to my prayer;

2 from the end of the earth I call to you when my heart is faint. Lead me to the rock that is higher than I,

3 for you have been my refuge, a strong tower against the enemy.

4 Let me dwell in your tent forever! Let me take refuge under the shelter of your wings! Selah

5 For you, O God, have heard my vows; you have given me the heritage of those who fear your name.

6 Prolong the life of the king; may his years endure to all generations!

7 May he be enthroned forever before God; appoint steadfast love and faithfulness to watch over him!

8 So will I ever sing praises to your name, as I perform my vows day after day.