In my June 16 TGIF, I introduced you to a new devotional I had just gotten titled Calm Moments for Anxious Days authored by popular Christian author Max Lucado. The book was written as a 90-day devotional journey, and I recommend it highly to anyone looking for guidance in navigating today’s turbulent world. I find all of the daily messages very helpful, and shared the Day 21 message with you on June 16. A few days ago, I read the message for Day 42 and it really struck a chord in me so I am choosing to share it with you today. The title of the devotional is The Great Giver. Each message begins with scripture chosen by Max for that day.
Luke 12:22, 29 – “Do not worry about your life … Do not seek what you should eat or what you should drink; nor have an anxious mind.”
Accumulation of wealth is a popular defense against fear. Since we fear losing our jobs, health care, or retirement benefits, we amass possessions, thinking the more we have, the safer we are.
If there were no God, stuff-trusting would be the only appropriate response to an uncertain future. But there is a God. And this God does not want his children to trust money.
Psalm 104 celebrates creation with twenty-three verses of itemized blessings: the heavens and the earth, the waters and streams and trees and birds and goats and wine and oil and bread and people and lions. God is the source of “innumerable teeming things, living things both small and great” (verse 25).
God is the great giver. The great provider. Absolutely generous and utterly dependable. The resounding and recurring message of Scripture is clear: God owns it all. God shares it all.
Max then summarizes this lesson as follows –
The pressure is real. Bills to pay, loved ones to provide for, deadlines to meet. We can so easily slip into thinking that it’s all on us – and that opens the door to exhaustion, stress, stomach-knotting anxiety. The situation is almost too simple to believe: God owns it all and shares it all. The next time worry has you wondering how it will all work out, remember this:
My Scripture of Hope – Psalm 34:9-10 – You belong to the Lord, fear him! Those who fear him will have everything they need. Even lions may get weak and hungry, but those who look to the Lord will have every good thing.
Max then concludes the message with:
God’s Promise to Me – God is generous beyond measure. He has promised to provide for all my needs. He shares his riches and takes care of me.
I pray that each of you and all your loved ones will appreciate The Great Giver and all He gives to us throughout our lives.
After my June 16 message, a number of readers told me you were going to order this devotional. If anyone else is interested in purchasing this devotional, it costs $13.99 and is available at either the website Christianbook.com or by calling 800-247-4784.