by Desiree Bustamante

By God’s grace we thrive in His presence to praise His holy name.

You can listen to today’s devotion by clicking on this SoundCloud link.

“Though the wicked sprout like weeds
    and evildoers flourish,
    they will be destroyed forever.
But you, O Lord, will be exalted forever.
Your enemies, Lord, will surely perish;
    all evildoers will be scattered.

But the godly will flourish like palm trees

    and grow strong like the cedars of Lebanon.
For they are transplanted to the Lord’s own house.
    They flourish in the courts of our God.
Even in old age they will still produce fruit;
    they will remain vital and green.”
Psalm 92:7-9, 12-14 New Living Translation

In late summer in Colorado, scrub oaks produce small acorns, offering a food source and shelter to animals. When destroyed by fire or by browsing wildlife, they often grow again quickly and even stronger than before, which helps return forests back to normal. In the fall, the scrub oak produces beauty in a magnificent array of red, orange, yellow and gold leaves.

Even when we daily experience the wickedness in the world and the heartache it causes, we are not overcome by our enemies of sin and Satan. Those of us who follow Christ, who fix our eyes on His power and faithfulness, will be made strong and will flourish in God’s presence. We have been anointed and empowered by God to live our lives in praise of Him. We flourish because we are cared for in the presence of the Lord, in his very courts. And even as we age, we will produce beautiful fruit for His kingdom, while declaring praise to our awesome God, proclaiming his love and righteousness to all who will hear so they will know the Father as we do.

Though Satan tries to discourage and defeat us, we can have perfect confidence in our Lord, for He will keep us strong each day by the majesty of Christ, who is our Rock. Continue to praise him for His love and faithfulness all your days.

Copyright Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Colorado Springs, Colorado