Daily Devotional For Friday, September 12, 2025
God’s blessings on you Southside. Wednesday was one of the sad days in America. We had the school shooting in Colorado and the assassination of Charlie Kirk. These two events came on the heels of remembering 911 on Thursday. It is hard to believe that it has been 24 years since 911 in which we lost over 3,000 people that day and more due to the damage to their health from the debris and destruction. Most people can recall where they were as we watched the tragic days of 911 unfold.
There are many in this younger generation who were either too young to remember or not even born. They do not understand, but for some of them, they are the leaders in protests against our country. The very country they denounce is the same country that gives them these rights to protest. In the majority of other countries it is illegal to protest the government and it can result in your imprisonment. This is why we must tell them over and over and remind them of these dark days and why they are so dark.
Moses wrote these words in Deuteronomy 32:7, “Remember the days of long ago; think about the generations past. Ask your father, and he will inform you. Inquire of your elders, and they will tell you” (NLT). The context for this in Deuteronomy 32:4, “He (God) is the Rock; His deeds are perfect. Everything He does is just and fair. He is a faithful God who does no wrong; how just and upright He is!” (NLT). Those of us who are older are supposed to be enlightening the younger generation with proof of how just, good, and fair God is. God never does wrong and He is our Rock. This means that our and others greatest need is to know who God is.
First, 5 times the writer says God is a Rock (see Deuteronomy 32:4, Deuteronomy 32:15. Deuteronomy 32:18, Deuteronomy:32:30, and Deuteronomy 32:31. Do you see that Moses has a point here? In an age where so many, especially the young, turn to other gods, we have the truth that God is utterly reliable, dependable, unshakable, and trustworthy. So many are quick to quit on God when their prayers are not answered, thus leaving them to choose other unsafe and even sinful and demonic options to cope. God is our Rock and our security. Yet, so many people, even Christians, choose another security.
“God is perfect” Moses says here. The Hebrew Word is [תַּמִּים, tamin]. It means blameless, without defect. Our knowledge and abilities are limited, but not God’s. This means that God’s will for us is there to not only guide us, but to protect us. There are times injustices seem to prevail, but there is a coming day when they all will be squashed by God. As a pastor, probably my biggest challenge is convincing Christians that God is totally trustworthy and reliable. A bad medical report or an unexpected death or a national catastrophe and some Christians jump ship. As a result they get enslaved to their own bitterness and distrust against God.
They wallow in self-pity while casting blame at God and others for their condition. They go to astrology or psychics or prescription drugs to cope rather than to God. This results in sinful and bad behavior on their part. Bitterness, resentfulness and disobedience are signs of a heart that refuses to believe God is just and will be just. Oh, how I wish I could get some Christians to really trust Psalm 34:8, “Taste and see that the Lord is good. Oh, the joys of those who take refuge in Him!” (NLT). This promise from God through David is illustrated in Psalm 34:9-10, “Fear the Lord, you His godly people, for those who fear Him will have all they need. (10) Even strong young lions sometimes go hungry, but those who trust in the Lord will lack no good thing” (NLT). We can either fear the Lord or fear our fear. We can either trust the Lord or trust other people and other ways. The best way we can help the young believe this is for us to live it out in our daily lives. It is hard for them to look at parents, fathers in this verse, and hear them quote Philippians 4:13 and Philippians 4:19 and not live it out when in a tough spot.
Assignment: How are you teaching and illustrating to a younger generation that God is worth trusting? When the unexpected tragedy happens and breaks your plans, do you fall apart, get angry, bitter and resentful or do you trust the Lord and say as Job, “The Lord gives and the Lord takes away, blessed be the name of our Lord” (Job 1:21). God is not suggesting that we ignore and minimize the event, but to not let it take control over us. This younger generation is turning to everything to cope except the Lord. When will you choose to make a difference in their lives as Joshua did in Joshua 24:15?
Scripture To Meditate On: Psalm 78:2-4, “I will teach you hidden lessons from our past— (3) stories we have heard and known, stories our ancestors handed down to us. (4) We will not hide these truths from our children; we will tell the next generation about the glorious deeds of the Lord, about His power and His mighty wonders” (NLT).
Prayer To Pray: “Dear Lord, use me to live out and teach this younger generation how and why You are reliable, trustworthy, and dependable so that they do not go after false gods to deal with their insecurities, fears, anxieties and doubts. Please give me opportunities to share with them how good You really are. I love You Lord. In Jesus’ name, Amen!”
I love you Southside! – Pastor Kelly