Your Daily Devotional for October 4, 2006

 

October 4, 2006

 

 

Dedicated and Delivered

by Dr. Paul Chappell

 

 

“Deliver thyself, O Zion, that dwellest with the daughter of Babylon. For thus saith the LORD of hosts; After the glory hath he sent me unto the nations which spoiled you: for he that toucheth you toucheth the apple of his eye.”

 

 

Zechariah 2:7-8

 

 

From the beginning of time, God consecrated Israel to be His nation and His people. All history can be traced back to the Mesopotamian valley which is northeast of Israel. Israel is the nation through which God chose to send His Son. What a great honor and privilege!

 

Numerous times throughout Scripture we see stories of how God protected Israel. From being attacked in the wilderness to being threatened by foreign kings, God protected His people. We also see times when God allowed punishment to come to Israel. We read stories of captivity, fighting, and destruction. What made the difference? Why did God sometimes protect them, but seem to disappear at other times?

 

The difference was Israel’s dedication to God. In the beginning, Israel was in love with God and was excited to live for Him. They rejoiced in calling Him their God! Then, as time went by, they began intermingling with other nations and other religions. They became complacent with God and sought other gods to call their own.

 

The one thing that made the difference was the fact that Israel took their eyes off God and looked to the world around them. They lost faith in God and decided to find another god. Israel had forgotten the many times that God had delivered them from their enemies. They forgot the many times that God had provided for their needs. They failed to remember all that God had done and chose to focus on the world around them.

 

When we take our eyes off God, the only direction to look is down. When we fail to trust in God, He will remove His hand of protection from our lives. What a scary thought! Satan’s attacks are real, and we can’t afford to have God’s protection lifted from our lives, not even for one day!

 

George Washington, when he was part of the Virginia Militia during the French and Indian War was shot at on several occasions, but he was never hurt. After battles he would find bullets in his hair and coat but he was never wounded. This was because he had God’s protection on his life. George Washington had a prayer posted in his church in Virginia that said, “We make our earnest prayer that Thou wilt keep the United States in Thy holy protection. We beseech Thee through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.”

 

Do you feel as though God’s protection has been taken from your life? Do you ever feel that God is far from you? God hasn’t moved, but maybe we aren’t as dedicated as we once were. Rededicate your life to Christ and put your trust back in Him. He will take care of you as you stay faithful to Him!

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