The Devotional

Papa “J” says

Do you have confidence in the world around you? Things are so chaotic in that even honesty has taken a bad name. What? It must be time to return to the LORD! Psalm 144:1-2

Once on one of the “Fram-ed” destroyers I was on, some torpedomen were testing the torpedo tubes located in the midships section of the destroyer. We were moored to pier two in Newport, Rhode Island. Now this was a long time ago and most likely the only place for anyone to see a fram-ed destroyer today would be at “Battleship Cove” in Massachusetts or someplace like that around the states. But on this particular day the ship was very much a part of our defense system. The torpedo tubes were loaded with two training torpedoes and four armed ones. Normally the tubes are electrically locked out so that when being tested they would not fire the torpedoes. However, on this day as the men were doing the firing checks, the familiar sound of torpedo ignition and jettison noises filled the air. The torpedo shot across the pier, fortunately it did not harm anyone or anything, damage was minor and it was a training torpedo. Embarrassing and reprimanding are the two key words here. Sometimes we live to serve another day.

Psalms 4

Psalm 4:1-8 Every day we should seek an audience with the LORD. Righteous living is not something that we can muster up on our own intuitive. We are prone to unrighteous behavior and we are bent on shameful ways. When I turn my work over to the LORD, He guides my steps and sometimes I feel like I have forgotten how to walk. Godliness does not come to us, unless God directs our way.

So if we are looking for a safe passage in this world today (and we should), there is one prerequisite that God is looking for in us and that would be faithfulness. There is safety in being faithful to God. Faithfulness sets us apart for the work of the ministries that we involve ourselves in. Faithfulness will overcome embarrassing moments and faithfulness will ward off moments of discipline and reprimand.

An audience with God to start our day and faithfulness in the work at hand will allow us to trust in God. When anger strikes us we will not sin because our meditation has allowed His countenance to govern the moment. Sinful anger will keep you awake at night. But trust in the LORD and do good. And your countenance will be that of a glad heart. I just wonder... how many of us go to bed at night in peace of mind and solid sleep?