Devotion's by Deborah

Devotion 12-18-23 The Lord will give strength to His people; The Lord will bless His people with peace. Psalms 29:11. There are at least two key thoughts here. The first is the phrase, "His people." What constitutes "His people?" People may be aligned with all kinds of groups these days. You may pick political parties, denominations, or other organizations with which to associate. Whomever you "side" with encourages you to feel strongly about their cause and to act accordingly. God has a "side" as well, "His" side. God's side, allegiance to Him, has certain requirements as well. If you intend to be God's person, one of His people, His man or woman, you are required to think, speak, act, and pray in certain ways. If you do not, you are probably not one of "His people." God's people know and follow God's expectations, not their own. God's people pray and think before speaking. God's people love, not hate. God's people do hard things with humility and even grief at times. They obey God, not people. God's people represent Him to the world rather than following a man-made agenda. God's people look for the best in others, seeking reconciliation and healing where possible; but, they also speak hurtful truth when needed. God's people serve God, not any man, period. The second key thought is peace. It walks with the first one. If a person is God's, then that person may expect storms and God's peace together. God claims "His people" and He gives them, blesses them, with peace -- in the storm. God may calm the storm, or He may walk with a person in the storm. Either way, God blesses us with peace. Are you one of God's people? Are you His, exclusively? If you are, ask for peace in the middle of your storm. He will give it! Watch for it; expect it! "The LORD will bless His people with peace."