Devotional | day 1

“I sought the Lord, and he answered me / and delivered me from all my fears. / Those who look to him are radiant, / and their faces shall never be ashamed. / This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him / and saved him out of all his troubles.”
Psalm 34:4-6

Read Matthew 20:29-34.

Recently, I have been reflecting on my own weakness and neediness. I often feel weighed down by life and the growing number of responsibilities I bear. The tasks on my to-do list overwhelm me. As I attempt to gain control, my thoughts run in a hundred directions. I am unable to focus. I carry the guilt of another distracted time of prayer, another shallow Bible study, another hour I wasted. The shame of my sin clouds my vision in darkness. My anxious thoughts alert me that I need a place of refuge, so I hide away in a digital world where nothing is painful. I have brief thoughts to turn off the screen and seek a better refuge. But I stay. In all these, I somehow still believe I can manage on my own. I refuse to turn to God.

You see, I am so slow to recognize my need before God. I can do absolutely nothing on my own, yet daily I try. And I fail. Even in my failure, I am slow to turn back to God and believe that he is gracious. I am desperate for God to change my heart and save me. The men in these two passages are in totally different circumstances than you and I, I imagine. However, there is a common thread that should challenge and encourage us.

As David wrote Psalm 34, God had just delivered him from the hands of the Philistines at Gath (1 Sam. 21:10 - 22:2). When David arrived in Gath, he feared for his life because Achish the King found out who he was. David, the man who killed thousands of Philistines, was fully in their hands. There was no way out. David knew his need and he cried out to God. The Lord heard him and saved him (Ps. 34:6).

The two blind men in Jericho were beggars and thus, likely social outcasts in their culture. With no ability on their own to change themselves or better their situation, the men were sentenced to beg for the rest of their lives. They heard that Jesus was passing by. They had heard of his great works, and that many believed him to be the messiah. Lord, have mercy on us, Son of David! The crowds tried to silence them. Lord, have mercy on us, Son of David! And the Lord heard and he answered them. He healed them.

In both of these stories, the men recognized their need before God, they believed God is gracious, they cried out to him, and he answered. We are like David and the blind men in this: we can do nothing on our own to save ourselves. We are completely dependent on God to transform us, heal us, and sanctify us. We need him to empower our obedience. We need him to help us daily, even with the smallest tasks. So cry out to God as those poor in spirit and needy! Turn from prideful self-reliance. Look to him and trust! Persist in prayer even when it’s difficult. Ask, seek, knock!

We have this confidence as we seek: Jesus died to save sinners. Though we are weak and needy, we are loved by a merciful, generous, and faithful Father. “He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?” (Rom. 8:32). Turn your eyes upon him!

Is it difficult for you to recognize your own neediness before God? Why or why not?
Can you think of a time in your life when you cried out to God for help and he answered?
Read Matthew 7:7-11. Are there parts of this passage that are difficult to believe? Why or why not?
How do you normally respond when faced with anxiety, guilt, trouble, or fear?
Are there any areas of your life right now when you need God’s help? Take time to pray and cry out to him for support. Cast your anxieties on him because he cares for you.

Take time to listen to a few songs and praise God:

“He Will Hold Me Fast” - Shane & Shane
“Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing" - Paul Zach
“Lord From Sorrows Deep I Call” - Matt Boswell, Matt Papa
“I Will Wait For You (Psalm 130)” - Shane & Shane