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Psalm 62:1

Selah

Filed Under: Devotions by Chuck
June 15, 2026

Scattered throughout the Psalms is the small, untranslated word “Selah.” It appears quietly, yet it carries weight. Many believe it signals a pause, a moment to reflect on what has just been said. In Psalm 62, the writer urges, “Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before him; God is a refuge for us.” Then comes that simple word: “Selah.” Stop and think about it. Do not rush past it. The Psalmist seems to understand that truth can be spoken clearly and still be missed if we do not slow down long enough to consider it. Life has a way of moving quickly, and reflection is often crowded out by the next task waiting in line.

That pause becomes especially important in daily life. We are told to “pour out our hearts” to God, yet we often struggle to find the time to do so. Jesus Himself modeled this practice. “In the morning, while it was still dark, he departed and went out to a desolate place, and there he prayed” (Mark 1:35). There is no complicated formula here. It is simply a matter of discipline. The word disciple itself suggests that following Jesus involves habits that shape our lives. When time with God becomes regular, something begins to change. Faith grows steadier, and perspective becomes clearer. When that time is neglected, it does not take long to notice the difference. It shows up in our attitudes, our reactions, and even our conversations. Others may notice it as well, sometimes before we do, which can be a humbling discovery.

There is an old story about early African believers who each had a private place in the thicket where they would meet with God. Over time, the paths to these places became well worn. If someone began to neglect prayer, the others would gently say, “Brother, the grass grows on your path.” That image lingers. The New Testament echoes the same idea in a different way: “Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you” (James 4:8). Through Jesus, we are invited into a relationship where we can come honestly and openly before God. Because of Him, we have access to the Father, and our hearts can be poured out without hesitation. Selah reminds us that faith is not only about moving forward. It is also about stopping long enough to remember who we are trusting.

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Psalm 102:6, John 15:13

No Greater Love

Filed Under: Devotions by Chuck
June 14, 2026

When visiting Jerusalem, the final days often lead through places that carry deep meaning. The walk begins near the traditional site of the Upper Room, where Jesus shared the Last Supper with His disciples, and continues along the Via Dolorosa to the place of the skull and the Garden Tomb. It is a journey that traces love in action. John 13:1 sets the tone: “having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end.” Everything that happened in that room flowed from that love. Jesus washed the disciples’ feet, an act that quietly overturned expectations. He took bread and said, “This is my body, which is broken for you.” He lifted the cup and spoke of a new covenant sealed in His blood. These were not abstract ideas. They were expressions of a love that would soon be carried to the cross.

That kind of love is difficult to grasp, especially when measured against everyday experience. We are often more comfortable receiving love than giving it at great cost. There is an old image drawn from the Psalms that helps illustrate this. In Psalm 102 6, the writer says, “I am like a pelican of the wilderness.” Over time, the pelican became a symbol of sacrifice. Early Christians believed that in times of famine, the pelican would wound itself to feed its young with its own blood. Whether the detail is literal or not, the picture is powerful. It suggests a love that gives of itself when there is nothing else to give. It is humbling to consider how far that is from our usual approach, which often involves giving what is convenient rather than what is costly. Even small inconveniences can feel large when they interrupt our plans, which says more about us than we might prefer to admit.

The New Testament reveals that what the pelican symbol only hints at is fully realized in Jesus. He said, “Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends” (John 15:13). This was not poetic language for Him. It was a declaration of what He would do. Through His death, the new covenant was established, and the depth of God’s love was made visible. As Scripture says, “God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8). The journey from the Upper Room to the cross is a journey of love given fully. It is a love that does not hold back, a love that reaches to the end and beyond.

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Deuteronomy 11:9

Milk & Honey

Filed Under: Devotions by Chuck
June 13, 2026

As Israel stood on the edge of the Promised Land, Moses described what lay before them in words meant to stir both hope and courage. In Deuteronomy 11:9, he called it a land “flowing with milk and honey.” It was not merely poetic language. It pointed to a place of abundance, provision, and blessing after years of wandering in the wilderness. Even today, travelers through Israel remark on its surprising productivity, a reminder that what once seemed unlikely has become visible. The phrase itself has traveled far beyond its original setting, becoming a familiar way to describe a place of richness and satisfaction. Milk represented what was necessary for life, while honey pointed to what was delightful. Together, they painted a picture of fullness that met every need and added a touch of sweetness.

That image still speaks into daily life, though perhaps in quieter ways. We all long for a place where needs are met and life feels settled, where there is enough for today and something to enjoy along the way. Yet we often try to create that sense of fullness on our own terms. We gather what we can, plan as best we know how, and hope it will satisfy. Sometimes it does, at least for a while. Other times, it leaves us wondering why something still feels incomplete. It is a humbling realization that abundance on the outside does not always produce contentment on the inside. We can have a full schedule, a full table, and still sense an emptiness that refuses to be ignored. It turns out that even a land flowing with milk and honey can be missed if our hearts are not prepared to receive it.

The New Testament reveals that the deeper meaning of this promise is fulfilled in Jesus. What Israel experienced in part, He offers in fullness. He said, “I came that they may have life and have it abundantly” (John 10:10). This abundance is not limited to material provision. It reaches into the heart and reshapes what we value and how we live. The apostle Paul echoes this truth when he writes, “My God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19). In Christ, the promise of milk and honey finds its truest expression. What we need and what we long for are brought together, not in a place, but in a person who provides both sustenance and joy beyond what we could have imagined.

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Deuteronomy 11:9-17

Live By Faith

Filed Under: Devotions by Chuck
June 12, 2026

In Deuteronomy 11:9–12, Moses describes the Promised Land as something entirely different from what Israel had known in Egypt. It was a land “flowing with milk and honey,” but it was also a land that could not be controlled. In Egypt, crops were sustained by the Nile through careful irrigation. As the text explains, it was a place where you “watered it with your foot,” meaning effort and systems kept everything going. The Promised Land, however, depended on rain from heaven. It required trust. The difference was not simply agricultural; it was spiritual. In Egypt, people could rely on what they could manage. In the land ahead, they would have to rely on God. The question beneath the surface was clear: who would they trust?

That same tension shows up in our lives, though it may not involve irrigation canals. We often prefer what we can control. There is comfort in systems, routines, and predictable outcomes. We like to think that if we work hard enough and plan carefully enough, we can secure what we need. And to be fair, effort does matter. Yet there is a subtle shift that can take place. We begin to believe that we are the source rather than the recipients. It is easy to look at a paycheck, a successful project, or a well-stocked pantry and quietly conclude that we made it happen. Meanwhile, the truth sits patiently in the background: we plant and water, but we do not control the rain. It is a humbling realization, especially for those of us who like to keep a firm grip on the steering wheel, even when the road is not entirely ours to direct.

The New Testament brings this truth into sharper focus by pointing us to a life of dependence on God through Jesus. Scripture says, “We walk by faith, not by sight” (2 Corinthians 5:7). That kind of life acknowledges that provision ultimately comes from God. The apostle Paul writes, “I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth” (1 Corinthians 3:6). Jesus Himself teaches this same dependence when He says, “Apart from me you can do nothing” (John 15:5). The Promised Land was not just about geography; it was about trust. In Christ, that lesson continues. What we cannot produce on our own, God provides, reminding us that the life of faith is less about control and more about confidence in the One who sends the rain.

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Deuteronomy 11:9-12, Psalm 55:22, James 5:7

God Cares For You

Filed Under: Devotions by Chuck
June 11, 2026

In Deuteronomy 11:9–12, Moses describes the Promised Land with careful detail. It is a land “flowing with milk and honey,” rich with blessing, yet unlike anything Israel had known before. It is a land of hills and valleys that “drinks water by the rain from heaven,” a place where life depends on God rather than human control. Then comes a remarkable assurance: “a land that the LORD your God cares for. The eyes of the LORD your God are always upon it, from the beginning of the year to the end of the year.” This is not simply a description of geography. It is a declaration of God’s attention. The land is under His care, watched over continually. The same God who provides also sees, and what He sees, He does not ignore.

That truth reaches into daily life more than we might expect. Scripture repeatedly reminds us that God sees. “He who formed the eye, does he not see?” (Psalm 94 9). From the broad sweep of the earth to the quiet details of our lives, nothing escapes His notice. At first, that idea can feel unsettling. We are generally comfortable being seen at our best, but less so at other times. Yet the emphasis of Scripture is not surveillance but care. When the Bible speaks of God’s eyes and ears, it uses human language to help us understand a deeper truth. He is attentive. He is aware. He is involved. It is humbling to realize that the same God who sees everything also understands everything, including the things we barely understand about ourselves. We may try to organize life as though we are in charge, but it becomes clear that we are not as independent as we sometimes imagine.

The New Testament carries this truth forward and makes it personal through Jesus. “The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are open to their prayer” (1 Peter 3:12). This is not distant observation. It is attentive care. Because of Christ, we are invited to bring our concerns to God, knowing they are heard. As Scripture says, “Cast all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you” (1 Peter 5:7). The remarkable part is not only that God sees us, but that He loves us fully, even with complete knowledge of who we are. In Christ, the God who watches over the land also watches over His people, providing not only what is needed but the assurance that we are never outside His care.

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Matthew 16:18

A Spiritual Leader

Filed Under: Devotions by Chuck
June 10, 2026

Not far from the Church on the Mount of the Beatitudes stands the Church of the Primacy of Saint Peter, a place that quietly reflects a long-standing discussion within the Church. In Matthew 16:18, Jesus says, “You are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church.” Some understand this to point to Peter himself as a central figure of leadership, while others see the “rock” as Peter’s confession that Jesus is the Christ. Despite these differences, there is agreement that Peter played a significant role in the early Church. His name rises quickly to the surface in the Gospel accounts and the Book of Acts, not because of personal greatness, but because God chose to use him in a visible and powerful way. The attention given to Peter reminds us that God often works through imperfect people to accomplish His purposes.

That reality has a way of meeting us in our own lives. Peter was not a polished figure. He spoke quickly, acted boldly, and sometimes stumbled in ways that are easy to recognize. It is comforting, and perhaps a little unsettling, to see how much we have in common with him. We may not stand before crowds at Pentecost, but we know what it is like to get ahead of ourselves or to learn lessons the long way around. Peter’s story suggests that usefulness is not reserved for those who have everything neatly arranged. Instead, it often grows out of a willingness to follow, even when understanding is incomplete. It is humbling to realize that God can work through people who are still learning, which leaves very few of us disqualified.

The New Testament keeps the focus where it belongs, not on Peter, but on Jesus. Peter himself later writes, “Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone, a cornerstone chosen and precious” (1 Peter 2:6), pointing away from himself to Christ. Jesus made this clear when He said, “The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone” (Matthew 21:42). The foundation of the Church is not a human personality but the person and work of Jesus. Peter’s role was important, but it was always secondary. As the apostle Paul writes, “No one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ” (1 Corinthians 3:11). The story of Peter ultimately points beyond Peter, reminding us that the strength of the Church rests not in its leaders but in its Lord.

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Matthew 5:3-10

Blessed are the Poor

Filed Under: Devotions by Chuck
June 9, 2026

Easton’s Bible Dictionary explains how the Mount of the Beatitudes received its name. After spending a night in prayer in the hills west of the Sea of Galilee, Jesus called His disciples and chose twelve to be His apostles. Then He descended to a level place and taught the gathered crowd what we now call the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5–7). The setting itself is striking. From those slopes, one can look out over open fields stretching toward the water, a natural gathering place for the multitudes that followed Him. Today, a church marks the site, its design reflecting the eight Beatitudes. These are not casual sayings. They are declarations of blessing that describe the kind of life shaped by God’s kingdom.

Those statements reach into daily life in ways that can be both comforting and unsettling. Jesus speaks of being “poor in spirit,” of mourning over sin, of meekness, and of hungering for righteousness. These are not qualities that usually earn applause in ordinary conversation. We often admire strength that stands on its own, yet Jesus points to a strength that begins with recognizing need. It is humbling to admit spiritual bankruptcy rather than independence. The same is true of mercy, purity of heart, and peacemaking. These qualities require more than good intentions. They shape how we respond to others, especially when it would be easier to react differently. Even the final Beatitude, which speaks of persecution, reminds us that this way of life does not always align with the expectations around us. The path Jesus describes is clear, though not always comfortable, and it has a way of revealing where our hearts truly are.

The New Testament shows that these qualities are not merely ideals but reflections of Jesus Himself. He embodies what He teaches. He invites people into a life that mirrors His own character, saying, “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 5:3). Through Him, these blessings become possible. The apostle Paul explains that God chose what is low and humble to reveal His grace (1 Corinthians 1:27-29). In Christ, the attitudes described on that hillside are formed within us, not by effort alone but through His work. The mountain where Jesus taught still points beyond itself, reminding us that the life He described flows from the life He lived and the grace He provides.

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Matthew 8:23-27

A Great Calm

Filed Under: Devotions by Chuck
June 8, 2026

In the region of Galilee, the landscape itself tells a story. Mount Arbel rises above the Sea of Galilee, offering a sweeping view of the valley, nearby towns, and the water below. That same beauty carries a hidden danger. The surrounding hills create wind tunnels that can stir sudden and violent storms across the lake. Fishermen who worked these waters knew this well. It is in this setting that the account in Matthew 8:23–27 takes place. Jesus and His disciples were crossing the lake when a fierce storm arose. Waves crashed into the boat, and seasoned fishermen found themselves overwhelmed. Meanwhile, Jesus was asleep. The contrast is striking. The storm raged, the disciples panicked, and Jesus rested peacefully. When they woke Him, He addressed both the storm and their hearts.

That moment speaks into the storms we face in everyday life. They may not involve wind and waves, but they arrive just as suddenly. Plans unravel, unexpected news appears, and situations grow beyond what we feel prepared to handle. Like the disciples, we may find ourselves wondering how things became so overwhelming so quickly. Fear has a way of growing in those moments, often faster than we would like to admit. It is humbling to recognize how easily confidence can give way to anxiety. The disciples likely thought their faith was stronger than it proved to be. Their reaction revealed something different. It is not difficult to see ourselves in that boat, trying to manage what is beyond our control while forgetting who is with us.

The New Testament brings the focus back to Jesus and His authority over both circumstances and hearts. After calming the storm, there was “a great calm,” a quiet that followed His word. His question still echoes: “Why are you afraid, O you of little faith?” (Matthew 8:26). Faith matters to God. Scripture reminds us, “Without faith it is impossible to please him” (Hebrews 11:6). Yet even small faith placed in a great Savior has meaning. Jesus does not simply calm external storms. He addresses the deeper unrest within us. As He later says, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you” (John 14:27). The presence of Christ does not remove every storm, but it changes how we face them. Where fear once ruled, His word brings calm, both around us and within us.

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