Space Invaders

Daily Reading: Isaiah 46-47

Scripture Focus: Listen to me, O house of Jacob, all the remnant of the house of Israel, who have been borne by me from before your birth, carried from the womb; even to your old age I am he, and to gray hairs I will carry you. I have made, and I will bear; I will carry and will save. (Isaiah 46.3-4)

Devotional Thought: Recently, Lana and I had our space invaded when two of our daughters, along with their families, came for a week-long visit to our home in Johns Island, South Carolina.  I remember when we were the "space invaders" at our parents' homes.  We used to take our Atari video game with us so the kids could play the "Space Invaders" video game while we were there. 

I think our daughter Amy still has our original Atari.  She fought with her sisters for the right to keep that relic.  Why, when the newer games have better graphics, better action, better audio, and better controllers?  I think it is because in the midst of all the responsibilities of being an adult, that game system reminds her of being a child in our home.

God gave Israel a reminder of their childhood in God's house.  When faced with "grown-up" responsibilities in Babylon, they needed to be reminded of whose they were.  God had...

·       Made them.  He formed a people of his own by calling them out of slavery.

·       Borne them.  When they were hungry, he fed them.  When they were thirsty, he gave them water.

·       Carried them.  Faced with impossible odds and overpowering armies, God carried them out of Egypt and through the wilderness.

·       Kept them.  Through forty years of wandering, God never lost sight of them, guiding them with a pillar of fire.

·       Saved them.  Finally they came to the Promised Land.  Into that blessed place, God deposited them in prosperity.

It was good to have "space invaders" in our home last week.  Do you need your space invaded by the Spirit of God to remind you that you are part of his forever family?

Prayer: Lord, I am reminded of the words of the Psalmist: "I have been young, and now am old, yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken or his children begging for bread."  You have been so good to me all my life, and I praise you.  Amen.

Psalm of the Day: Psalm 78.17-31

17 Yet they sinned still more against him, rebelling against the Most High in the desert.

18 They tested God in their heart by demanding the food they craved.

19 They spoke against God, saying, "Can God spread a table in the wilderness?

20 He struck the rock so that water gushed out and streams overflowed. Can he also give bread or provide meat for his people?"

21 Therefore, when the LORD heard, he was full of wrath; a fire was kindled against Jacob; his anger rose against Israel,

22 because they did not believe in God and did not trust his saving power.

23 Yet he commanded the skies above and opened the doors of heaven,

24 and he rained down on them manna to eat and gave them the grain of heaven.

25 Man ate of the bread of the angels; he sent them food in abundance.

26 He caused the east wind to blow in the heavens, and by his power he led out the south wind;

27 he rained meat on them like dust, winged birds like the sand of the seas;

28 he let them fall in the midst of their camp, all around their dwellings.

29 And they ate and were well filled, for he gave them what they craved.

30 But before they had satisfied their craving, while the food was still in their mouths,

31 the anger of God rose against them, and he killed the strongest of them and laid low the young men of Israel.