The truth is revealed...

During the past week, there have been temptations for me to search for the truth about situations, and to go out on my own without the Lord in finding answers. My sister in law sent me this devotional this week, and it convicted me to depend on the Lord for the truth. I was struck by how the woman in this story was prompted by a tragedy in her life to grow closer to the Lord. I too am comforted by God's peace, and the truth of His love that never changes. I can rest in God's control over the revelation of what is true in earthly circumstances as well. My sister in law also told me this past week that she would always support the truth, rather than supporting a person just because of "who" they are. I think that this is a good position to take. Find out what God says is true, and support it. I don't know if truth will ever be revealed about the earthly circumstance that bothers me, but I am confident and thankful that God's truth never changes, and He makes it available to me in His word every day.


January 12, 2007

God’s Truth Sets Us Free
by Glynnis Whitwer

Key Verse:John 8:31-32, “To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, ‘If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truthand the truth will set you free.’” (NIV)

Devotion:
The accusations were unsettling – the suspected infidelity of a husband, who was also in full-time ministry. Some called for his resignation, while others stood by him – his wife, Trisha*, was one of them. She chose to believe her husband when he denied the rumors.

The controversy swirled, no proof was ever uncovered, but this man stepped down from his position. His wife, although eaten up inside by the turmoil and suspicions, continued to support her husband. She refused to believe the rumors and stood firm on what she believed to be true about the man she had committed to love and honor so many years before.

Unfortunately, it wasn’t long after he resigned, that Trisha’s husband claimed to have lost his love for her and moved out. Divorce papers followed a few months later.

Confused and hurt, Trisha sought answers in prayer and God’s Word. She wanted to know the truth and asked that God bring it to light. She read the Bible with a revived hunger and wrote down Scriptures that brought peace and hope. She printed them out on index cards and carried God’s Word with her throughout the day. Although her heart was heavy with grief and filled with questions, my friend chose to turn to God for comfort. God was faithful and filled her with peace.

Trisha accepted the situation, but continued to pray for truth to be revealed. It bothered her to not know the whole truth of what happened, until one day when God spoke to her through John 8:32, “Then you will know the truth and the truth will set you free.” In the quiet of her heart, Trisha realized that God had been showing her the truth all along – only it wasn’t the truth about what happened, it was His truth.

With each Scripture she read, God planted His truth in her heart … truth about her value, God’s character and His great love for her. God’s truth was setting Trisha free from the bondage of needing to know the truth about her husband.

There’s so much we may never know for sure in this life. Worry and fear can hold us captive. Yet Jesus promised freedom when we know the truth. In order for that to happen, we have to read God’s word for ourselves and allow God to plant it in our hearts. Then, like my friend Trisha, we can move on in life, free from the bondage of uncertain circumstances and standing firm on the rock of God’s truth.

* Name has been changed.

My Prayer for Today:Dear Lord, I praise You for Your holiness. All Your ways are good, right and true.In our unfaithful world, only You offer us the truth. Open my eyes to understand Your truth and apply it to my life. I pray for a renewed love for Your Holy Word, where the truth that sets us free is found. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.


Application Steps:
Identify a circumstance in your life, past or present, where you believed you never learned the whole truth. Identify one truth about God that brings you comfort.

Reflections:
What is the must frustrating part of not knowing the truth about a situation?

From what does God’s truth set us free?

Read Ephesians 6:10-18. This passage equips the believer for dealing with Satan’s schemes. What are some of the weapons God provides Christians?

Truth is mentioned first. How is truth a weapon in spiritual warfare?

Power Verses:
Psalm 31:4-5, “Free me from the trap that is set for me, for you are my refuge. Into your hand I commit my spirit; redeem me, O Lord, the God of truth.” (NIV)

Ephesians 6:14, “Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place.” (NIV)

1 John 1:6, “If we claim to have fellowship with him, yet walk in darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth.” (NIV)

Proverbs 16:20, “Whoever gives heed to instruction prospers, and blessed is he who trusts in the Lord.” (NIV)