Lord's Day Devotion - Highly Exalted

 

"But You, O LORD, are a shield about me, my glory, and the lifter of my head"        (Psalm 3:3 ESV).

If you observe this verse in the context of the first five verses of this Psalm you'll likely feel how comforting these words are.  The LORD was a shield - a protection - for King David in the midst of a deep betrayal.  

He didn't need to be sitting on his throne in all its authority and glory because he claimed the LORD as his glory.  The LORD was the one to exalt him even in his time of humiliation.  He cried out to the Lord and was answered.  In this confidence he could

 "lay down and sleep ..." (v. 5).

When others have stolen our thunder and deeply put us to shame in front of 'our world' we can claim our Lord's protection and glory too.  It's in Him we can trust.  

When we reflect on what Jesus Himself went through at the hands of human beings, the very ones He had come to save, He too cried out to His heavenly Father God.  Yes, He went through it all, even the death on the cross where He had been "lifted up" in another way.  Yet in the end we are told God highly exalted Him.

"Therefore God has highly exalted Him and bestowed on Him the name that is above every name ..."

What's more, "every knee" will one day or another bow to Him, our exalted King of glory.  Praise Jesus, the One who died for me, the One who died for you, and the One who died for "the whosoever" (see John 3:16).

This Lord's Day, let's remember our Jesus' death and resurrection from the dead, by partaking of the broken bread and drinking from the cup of wine in remembrance of all He has done for us and give Him the glory and honor due His name.

He is now our shield, glory and lifter of our heads despite any terrifying and humiliating situation we may be enduring.  May we each have David's level of confidence in our Lord and even be able to lay down and sleep because He is sustaining us (see Psalm 3:5 ESV).

Father God, thank You for Jesus and for the shield He created for us.  We especially give thanks for the salvation He provided for us through His death and resurrection.  We bow our knees to Jesus' our exalted King of kings.  He is Lord of all.  In Him we put our trust, as He shields us, protecting us from our enemies who shame and put us down and who perhaps, even seek to extinguish our life.  In Him we have everlasting life.  To You be the glory.  In Jesus' name we give our thanks and praise.  Amen.

                                                    ~  ERC  March 2026  ~

Based on Psalm 3:3 ESV.

Sing, To God Be the Glory, along with The Worship Initiative.

Right - ness Ignored (Acts 27 ESV)

 It is so very frustrating not to be listened too, especially if you know you are right.  The other party believes they are right too, but time shows the consequences of who was right.

And in these consequences there are those who are greatly affected, even put into danger because the one in the position of power and authority did not listen to the ones who were actually correct in their assessment.

Instead, the 'right' one was treated as if they were of no account and how could they actually have rightfully assessed a stiuation!?  They are nothing and their opinion is of no consequence and thus cast aside.

This happened to Paul the prisoner as he was sailed towards Italy to stand trial before Caesar.  Paul had gotten his 'right' answer from the Lord.  But the ship's captain and the voyage powers-that-be, did not heed Paul's words.

They were the men of the sea, how could landlubber Paul know the nuances of sailing and weather conditions!  Paul had given his warning but he had not been listened to.

Can you picture Paul sighing and thinking -

 "I'm going to be shipwrecked - again!" 

Sigh ...

He sat and rode out the wave of consequences of the bad decision of others.  This affected 276 persons.  But Paul was attuned to the Lord's guidance and he was able to bring encouragement to all aboard.  They would face the dangers of the deep but ...

" ... not a hair is to perish from the head of any of you" (vs 34 ESV)

he told the passengers.

So they were shipwrecked, jumped overboard, swam, rested on broken off planks or other pieces of ship ...

"and so it was that all were brought safely to land" (vs 44).

God in His mercy  had rescued a whole shipload of passengers despite the folly and pride of "educated" mankind.  He kept Paul alive in order to bring him before the top man of the Roman Empire!

Would you like to be as fine tuned into Holy Sprit's guidance as Paul was?  Even if we are, not everyone will listen to the wisdom given us.  It can be frustrating but our times are in our Lord's hands and He'll bring us safely to shore despite those who do not listen to what's 'right'.

The losses incurred along the way may well be devastating but the responsibility and blame is not on our shoulders if we'd spoken up.  We have at least done our part with the knowledge we'd been given.

We may still have a chance, like Paul did to encourage others in the mess with you.  It's a saving grace.

May our Lord bless you all who do listen to the Holy Spirit and work out how to use the knowledge and wisdom given.  By God's grace we can ride the storms of life - the manmade ones as well as what comes upon us naturally.  Let's have submissive, humble hearts that will listen to Holy Spirit's wisdom.

May God bless each of us.

                                                        ~  ERC  April 2026  ~

Based on Acts 27 ESV.

Sing, Be Still, along with Hillsong, and Holy Spirit, I am Listening, along with Still Waters Bible Reflections.

Good Book - Creative Ministry - By Henri J. M. Nouwen

 There is a quotation from this book which reads,

"A preacher is a man who is willing to give his life for his people" (pg 40).

And then almost in the last pages of conclusion, Henri J. M. Nouwen, the author, writes,

"Radical commitment is to lay down one's life in service of others" (pg 114)..

So what happens when we lose steam and begin to burn out?  Creative Ministry takes a serious look at how a believer, a pastor, minister or even a priest, can be as constant as possible with the Lord's help and with the whole general community of believers.

Nouwen touches on "Beyond Transference of Knowledge" (preaching and teaching); "Beyond Retelling the Story," including problems of folks willing to accept the message vs the messenger - not all listeners will be won over.  There had been little repoire and relationship built up.

To continue, "Beyond Skillful Response" - touching on actual pastoral care, how we see ourselves in order to more effectively be useful to others.  

"Forget self and be more interested in others" 

sort of thing.  Building relationship bridges.  Something akin to JOY; that is,

"Jesus first,

 Others next,

 Yourself last."

Then there's "Beyond Manipulation of Structures."  The preacher makes himself 'visible' to those he serves.  He shares himself instead of strictly staying behind the pulpit with decorum, hiding his real self - no, he get's 'real', sharing his own struggles, life experiences and what was learned through it all.  It's not all about skills and techniques learned but by contemplation and of what had been learned through a correlation of all life's experiences.

Last but not least, is "Beyond the Protective Ritual."  This is a celebration of all that comes at us in life, be it life or death, so to speak.  When we lose our life from self we find life.  Become more available to each other, which involves obedience to God and other people and so on.

A very brief summary and a lot left out ... you gotta read it for yourselves.  Ha, ha.

This book may have been published back in the early 1990's but I've found it a very thoughtful treatise on the spiritual journey for any believer who is in a pastoral position, whether one is 'officially' a pastor, teacher of the Word or  is a lay person.  Vibrant spiritual life will no doubt bring health to the bones and the mind and emotions, as the symbiotic relationship between the professional training as it meets the spiritual in any God-given ministry.  To God be the glory.

                                                     ~ ERC  April 2026 ~

Disclaimer:  This is my honest opinion based on the copyrighted paperback version I read which was published by This Image Books in September 1991.

Additionally, there is a newer looking version of this book with a cover that looks like this ....

Read review on Goodreads.

Book Review - The Lumber Baron's Wife - by Lynn Austin - Publication Date: 14 April 2026

 

I declare this to be a most wonderful, clean work of historical fiction.  It is about the fifith or sixth Lynn Austin novel I've ever read and I'd say her work just keeps getting better and better.

In this narrative there are two time frames.  One is from back in the 1880's while the 'current' one, is well, now.  The setting is in a small logging town in Michigan.  The story describes those logging times, the wealth and danger and what turned out to be a conservationist's worse nightmare.  It also speaks of the care and concern embodied in Dr. John Wagner and his wife Hannah, along with her most unusual friend Kate Abernathy, the lumber baron's wife.  There is added mystery when Kate inexplicably disappears.

In the 'current' time a reader will find David and Ashley, along with other townsfolk and the intrepid Frieda, the 'doll' instigator of restoration of the 150 year old mansion.  Readers are led through the restoration process in a most interesting way with the excitement and satisfaciton of purpose fulfilled.

Austin also tackles the ups and downs of married life, of pro-choice vs pro-life issues; belief in Jesus and trust in God, child loss, physical abuse and the horrendous treatment of women in those days endured.

Overall, I found this story to be quite a comprehensive work but also very down to earth.  There were tears as well as laughter.  My interest was held throughout the pages until the very end.  I have been totally satisfied with this narrative and was sorry to have to say 'good-bye' to all those believable characters.  I will savor this story for some time to come.

Definitely, I give this a 5-Star rating!

                                           ~ Eunice C.,  Reviewer/Blogger ~

                                                          October 2025

Disclaimer:  This is my honest opinion based on the complimentary review copy sent by NetGalley and the publisher.

Read review on Goodreads.

Sharper Sword (Acts 26 ESV

 

As Paul stood before Festus, King Agrippa and Queen Bernice, he gave his defense.  He was confident King Agrippa would understand.  And he did.

It came a bit too close for comfort for him, so he asked Paul,

 " ... in such a short time would you persuade me to be a Christian?"

"Well, yeah, that's kind of the point ...." 

Paul had effective defense.  In the end King Agrippa tells Festus in a private conversation that Paul was innocent and could have been freed if he hadn't appealed to Caesar (vs 32 ESV).

Again and again showed that Paul paid attention to whom he was speaking.  He then tailored his messages accordingly.  Most often the message hit its mark.

When we pay attention, I mean, really pay attention, to our audience, whether it's a room full of hearers or an audience of one, we will be better able to ascertain a more customized - as it were - message.

Yes, all need to hear the gospel but if we know the audience, the general beliefs of it, society of the time's norms for example, or what an individual has experienced and/or is going through at the time, we can be pro-actively intuitive, respond in kind measure, bringing the message of Jesus more accurately and relevantly to the audience.  The Holy Spirit aiding us.

In many ways this is basic pastoral care at its most effective conduit.  It is a skill that can be developed, as one studies God's word, for sure, but who also has knowledge and awareness of the current culture, and beliefs of those with whom one wishes to converse.

The Word of God is,

"...living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart" (Hebrews 4:12).

We may not know all that is in the heart of man but God does.  However, I think that when we keep our "sword" as sharp as possible and use God's Word aright, the Holy Spirit will work in the hearts and minds of the hearers, as it did to both governor Festus and King Agrippa.

We are not told if these men ever came to Christ, but they did hear the gospel message.  There would more than likely have been many others in these rooms too: the guards, other dignitaries, servants and so on.  These too heard this messsage of Jesus.  We can never under-estimate the audiences' reach whether intentioned or unintentioned, God has His way of working so all may hear.  

Will you be His mouthpiece?

                                                 ~ ERC  April 2026  ~

Based on Acts 26 ESV.

Sing, God's Word is Like a Hammer (The Book of Books) along with Andrew Remillard).

Standing Before Kings (Acts 25 ESV)

 

To stand before kings and queens as a dream come true, could be a dangerous dream in that reality.  There would be very little romance in it, generally speaking, I feel.  Being on ones' best behavior may not be enough.

Even though the Apostle Paul was told he'd stand before royalty, it was not necessarily something to be desired.  Yet Paul could stand his ground fearlessly and respectfully. He even appealed to Caesar!  It was his Roman citizenship right.  Such appeals appears to have been irrevokable too.

Festus said,

 "To Caesar you have appealed; to Caesar you shall go" (Acts 25:13 ESV).

This was Paul's appeal after a two year hiatus "in the barricks."  Maybe he was frustrated and a bit impatient with the system that kept him bound, only due to false accusations and Festus' wanting to keep in the good books of the Jewish leaders.

To some extent, Paul's appeal feels like he was overworking the wise-serpent- innocent dove ace card.  Yet the Lord uses our will to complete His will, or to tell Him whether we accept or reject His.

Seems a serious matter.  We do well to think and act wisely.  Make much prayer and many requests of the Lord, and be still to discern what He wants for us.  What course of action do you really want?

In the meantime, Festus toys with Paul.  He is in an expansive mood, wishing to show the visiting royalty, King Agrippa and Queen Bernice, a good time.

So you'll see in the next chapter of Acts how that played out.

For us now, if we imagine ourselves in such a position, kneeling before royalty and other men and women of authority, what would our 'speech' be like?  What would our defense be?

May  we be ready to give answer and to listen for Holy Spirit guidance at such a time as that.  May we be fearless and respectful and give God the glory.  

So help us, God.

                                               ~ ERC  March 2026  ~

Based on Acts 25 ESV.

Sing,  Before the Throne of God Above, along with Sovereign Grace Music.

Dry Dock Opportunity (Acts 24:14-16, 21 and 25 ESV)

 

Paul continues his wise serpent-innocent dove defence.  As he unravels his thoughts, they unfold as a witness to those in Roman authority positions, of the grace of God and the message of Jesus.

He doesn't miss or waste an opportunity.  He never knew how long he had to do so, so he made good use of his time even though he did not have his freedom to travel about on missionary journeys as he formerly had done.  You might say that Paul was in 'dry dock'.  That didn't faze him, he spoke to the audience the Lord had provided for him despite his confined circumstances.

As he spoke of the

" resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust" (vs 15);

 of 

"righteousnesss, of self-control and the coming judgment" (v 25),

 the listeners, especially Felix the governor, were affected.  Felix became downright uncomfortable and alarmed.

Felix told Paul he'd summon him again at some other opportune time.

As followers of Jesus Christ, even in our day and age, we can seek similar opportunities even if and when we are isolated to small patches of Earth.  I believe we can ask the Lord to present us with them and to give us the words and wisdom to use them, no matter how high and dry we may feel we are.

Father God, lead and guide us, overlay opportunities to speak for You with courage, and wisdom and words, for Your glory and honor.  Even when we are in confined situations, so be it.  I ask in Jesus' name.  Amen.

                                               ~  ERC  March 2026  ~

Based on Acts 24:14-16, 21 and 25 ESV.

Sing, Go Tell It On the Mountain, along with  Gaither Music.