Nashville, Tennessee, United States - The Upper Room Daily Devotional "Letter from Home" for Monday, 7 July 2014 - Read Psalm 119:92-104

Nashville, Tennessee, United States - The Upper Room Daily Devotional "Letter from Home" for Monday, 7 July 2014 - Read Psalm 119:89-96 What you say goes, God,
    and stays, as permanent as the heavens.
Your truth never goes out of fashion;
    it’s as up-to-date as the earth when the sun comes up.
Your Word and truth are dependable as ever;
    that’s what you ordered—you set the earth going.
If your revelation hadn’t delighted me so,
    I would have given up when the hard times came.
But I’ll never forget the advice you gave me;
    you saved my life with those wise words.
Save me! I’m all yours.
    I look high and low for your words of wisdom.
The wicked lie in ambush to destroy me,
    but I’m only concerned with your plans for me.
I see the limits to everything human,
    but the horizons can’t contain your commands!
97-104 Oh, how I love all you’ve revealed;
    I reverently ponder it all the day long.
Your commands give me an edge on my enemies;
    they never become obsolete.
I’ve even become smarter than my teachers
    since I’ve pondered and absorbed your counsel.
I’ve become wiser than the wise old sages
    simply by doing what you tell me.
I watch my step, avoiding the ditches and ruts of evil
    so I can spend all my time keeping your Word.
I never make detours from the route you laid out;
    you gave me such good directions.
Your words are so choice, so tasty;
    I prefer them to the best home cooking.
With your instruction, I understand life;
    that’s why I hate false propaganda.
One does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of the LORD.(Deuteronomy 8:3 (NRSV))
Military service members anxiously await letters from home. When a letter comes, they open it carefully, read it slowly, think about it, and then read it again and again until the words are memorized. On days of dangerous duty, one thing that can keep them going is knowing that someone at home cares about them. We are in God’s service, and God has sent us a letter from home. The Bible is like a letter from God to God’s people in the world. It explains God’s hopes and plans for us; it tells us that we are in God’s thoughts and assures us of God’s eternal love. Just as young military men and women treasure letters from home, we can treasure God’s letter to us. We can treat it with reverence, read it, think about it, and memorize it. God will become such a part of our lives that others will see God through our actions. In dangerous times, when sin abounds, God’s grace and caring will guide and protect us.
The Author: Gale A. Richards (Iowa, USA)
Thought for the Day: God’s word provides nourishment for our daily journey.
Prayer: Dear God, your word lights our path, comforts us in despair, and gives us strength. Help us to learn and live your truth every day. Amen.

Prayer focus: Military service members
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