The One That Got Away [Until Now] Part I

SCRIPTURE: "...LET US REJOICE AND BE GLAD IN IT..." Psalm 118:24
God has brought, is bringing, and shall perfect joy in the now-life [and beyond-life] of the believer, whose hope and faith prevail--even as the things of the temporal roar upon us. That is the good news, news we can use, although sometimes it takes work to hear it from a prophet. Theirs is not always the voice to applaud us for the good we've done, for virtuous intentions, but rather to love us with correction, as God Himself ushers the hard truths about us.
I always thought I had read through the Bible start to finish, but that notion was not accurate. Yes, there was regular reading done; there were notes taken across decades of sermons and even eulogies and other events. There were numerous Sunday school lessons, both attended and prepared. There were audiotaped and videotaped messages considered, and even a few years of being on the devotional team; yet, there was a book I had not approached. Even with the privilege of being a member of the Gideons, sharing Bibles, there remained a book within the Scriptures that hadn't reached me. So, I've purposed to address that, and, indeed, when I turned to its address in my several Bibles, its verses were not underscored, were not highlighted, and boasted of pages evidently good as new. Should I have played the part of a detective, the Adrian Monk or Sherlock Holmes in me, would have scarcely found fingerprints---probably just the scrambling touchpoints while searching for Amos or Jonah. At the time of this devotional I plan to finish this book, and while it is now the advent season, highlighting 'Joy' for the week leading to Christmas, I plan on finding the message of joy from that dear dusty prophet, whose name means 'the Lord's servant,’ that being Obadiah. I'm going to pursue it, rejoice in it, and be glad in it! This is the day!
Intermission [24] hours later
PRAYER: Dear Lord, let me appreciate beyond my distractedness each and every day the need to know You more, and with that to be available to weather this roller-coaster life of ours with the anchor of truth, having Jesus, and in Him, having peace. I pray that the gift of life in me will be sufficiently impressive to bring confession, and usher in blessing, that my yielding will bring uplift, in Jesus' name. I shall rejoice and be glad, in Him. Amen.
I always thought I had read through the Bible start to finish, but that notion was not accurate. Yes, there was regular reading done; there were notes taken across decades of sermons and even eulogies and other events. There were numerous Sunday school lessons, both attended and prepared. There were audiotaped and videotaped messages considered, and even a few years of being on the devotional team; yet, there was a book I had not approached. Even with the privilege of being a member of the Gideons, sharing Bibles, there remained a book within the Scriptures that hadn't reached me. So, I've purposed to address that, and, indeed, when I turned to its address in my several Bibles, its verses were not underscored, were not highlighted, and boasted of pages evidently good as new. Should I have played the part of a detective, the Adrian Monk or Sherlock Holmes in me, would have scarcely found fingerprints---probably just the scrambling touchpoints while searching for Amos or Jonah. At the time of this devotional I plan to finish this book, and while it is now the advent season, highlighting 'Joy' for the week leading to Christmas, I plan on finding the message of joy from that dear dusty prophet, whose name means 'the Lord's servant,’ that being Obadiah. I'm going to pursue it, rejoice in it, and be glad in it! This is the day!
Intermission [24] hours later
PRAYER: Dear Lord, let me appreciate beyond my distractedness each and every day the need to know You more, and with that to be available to weather this roller-coaster life of ours with the anchor of truth, having Jesus, and in Him, having peace. I pray that the gift of life in me will be sufficiently impressive to bring confession, and usher in blessing, that my yielding will bring uplift, in Jesus' name. I shall rejoice and be glad, in Him. Amen.
Archive
2023
January
MOVING INTO A NEW YEAR AND LEAVING YOUR BAGGAGE BEHINDEncouraging You in the New YearA Veteran StudentAll of God’s Gifts Are Wrapped in JesusThe Gift that Keeps on GivingA Faith That’s Signed and SealedI Remember Grandma (Part I)I Remember Grandma (Part II)Roots Growing DeeperSTANDING IN HIS PEACEBE WARY OF COMPARING! (Part I)BE WARY OF COMPARING! (Part II)TIE A YELLOW RIBBON...[Part I]TIE A YELLOW RIBBON... [Part II]The One That Got Away [Until Now] Part IThe One That Got Away [Until Now] Part IIThe One That Got Away [Until Now] PartWINTER, ALREADY ?! [Part I]WINTER, ALREADY ?! [Part II]HE KNOWS!Godly Hope vs. Positive ThinkingHope DeferredCalled To Endure!The Greatest Expectation!The Ear and Eye GateCourage, Saints!!Getting to Know Him- Little By LittleSame Storm Different Boat pt2The Apron of ServanthoodGetting to Know Him- Little By LittleConfess It as Sin!
2022
January
Dissing Double MindednessCome-to-Jesus MomentNew Year, Same God!Is God Real?O Me of Little FaithNot Another Password!Lamb of GodA Tale of Two SongsGod WinksJesus Working Through MeA Real Friend with BenefitsGod is Trying to Tell Us SomethingEven the Lord, RestedGod’s Word to the RescueLiberty and ConscienceHaving a Made-Up MindMarch Like a SoldierThe Reality of UnityLostMiracle on the Roman RoadA Reference Point, Not a ResidencePromised TranquilityListening/Obeying ChristOf ValueHeart FlowThe Implications of “Won’t He Do It”
February
March
STANDING IN VICTORYSelf WillWho are you?Wait a MinuteNOT IF, BUT WHEN (Part 1)NOT IF, BUT WHEN (Part 2)NOT IF, BUT WHEN (Part 3)God Given IdentityHe Knows Our Heart!Witnessing FalselyBut God; the Believer’s SemicolonGod’s Fingerprint – The Living WordHeart OwnershipDeception Among BelieversAn Extraordinary ManEven IfHe Saw the Best in MeNot Quite, Almost, Nearly \"NOPE!\"Jesus’ Teaching About WorshipTHE RIGHT ATTITUDE FOR PRAYER (Part I)THE RIGHT ATTITUDE FOR PRAYER (Part II)Fruits of the SpiritDifferent Time but Same AgendaI Am the GreatestTrusting the FatherListen, God is Speaking to You
April
What’s in A Name?I’m DelightedWhat a Friend We Have in JesusGod Promises a Life of New BeginningsChrist Formed in YouSlow to SpeakThe Eternal God is Our RefugeHis Marvelous Grace and Omniscience!Hosanna! Hosanna! Hosanna!WHEN FAITHFULNESS BARES IT\'S THROAT!Things Change in His PresenceESCAPE THE WOE!Declare the Lord’s Immutability!WAS THE CRUCIFIXION OF JESUS, A DONE DEAL?Jesus Needing a Drink
3 Comments
Yes indeed, Dr. Brockington, some of those books of the Bible do go untouched by us. Forgive us Lord for seeing them as “lesser than” for the entrance of Your whole Word does give us light.
Amen & Amen!!
Amen, Bro. Brockington. “Righteousness exalts a nation, but SIN is a reproach to any people.” Prov. 14:34