Take a Hike!

Daily Reading: Galatians 1

But when he who had set me apart before I was born, and who called me by his grace, was pleased to reveal his Son to me, in order that I might preach him among the Gentiles… (Galatians 1.15-16)

Devotional Thought: Take a hike!  Has anyone ever told you that?  I would guess yes, but you probably didn't expect it from your pastor!  But I'm going with you.  Let’s take a hike down the path of salvation we discover in Galatians 1. 

That path...

·       Begins in the heart and plan of God: “he … set me apart before I was born.”  Just as God breathed life into Adam and Eve when he created humanity, so he also breathes spiritual life into us.  God does not wait for us to find him.  He is actively pursuing us on this path.

·       Is initiated in the call of God: “who called me by his grace.”  Salvation is by grace.  God did not have to save any of us.  We are like puppies in the pound!  God doesn't choose us because of anything we have done.  He chooses us purely out of love, then takes us out for a walk on this path.

·       Is defined by a relationship with Jesus: “was pleased to reveal his Son to me.”  Paul, a very religious man even in his pre-Christian days, did not know the true way of salvation until he met Jesus on the road to Damascus (Acts 9).  But God revealed his Son to Paul, and Paul found the path. 

·       Results in our doing the work of Jesus: “that I might preach him among the Gentiles.”  Paul’s understanding of salvation was not one of leisure, just sitting around or strolling along.  There was work to be done.

God holds you in his heart.  He calls you by his grace.  He reveals himself through Jesus.  And he gives you meaningful work.  Let’s take a hike together!

Prayer: Lord, though I was like "a puppy in the pound," you came for me and have led me along the path of salvation, a path of love and freedom, of joy and hope, of peace and confidence!  Amen.

Psalm of the Day: Psalm 103.6-14

6 The LORD works righteousness and justice for all the oppressed. 7 He made known his ways to Moses, his deeds to the people of Israel: 8 The LORD is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love. 9 He will not always accuse, nor will he harbor his anger forever; 10 he does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities. 11 For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him; 12 as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us. 13 As a father has compassion on his children, so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him; 14 for he knows how we are formed, he remembers that we are dust.