Day 4: Ignore the Haters
Day 4: Ignore the Haters
Reading:
Psalm 27:1-14
1 The Lord is my light and my salvation— whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life— of whom shall I be afraid? 2 When the wicked advance against me to devour[a] me, it is my enemies and my foes who will stumble and fall. 3 Though an army besiege me, my heart will not fear; though war break out against me, even then I will be confident. 4 One thing I ask from the Lord, this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the Lord and to seek him in his temple.
5 For in the day of trouble he will keep me safe in his dwelling; he will hide me in the shelter of his sacred tent and set me high upon a rock. 6 Then my head will be exalted above the enemies who surround me; at his sacred tent I will sacrifice with shouts of joy; I will sing and make music to the Lord. 7 Hear my voice when I call, Lord; be merciful to me and answer me. 8 My heart says of you, “Seek his face!” Your face, Lord, I will seek. 9 Do not hide your face from me, do not turn your servant away in anger; you have been my helper. Do not reject me or forsake me, God my Savior. 10 Though my father and mother forsake me, the Lord will receive me. 11 Teach me your way, Lord; lead me in a straight path because of my oppressors. 12 Do not turn me over to the desire of my foes, for false witnesses rise up against me, spouting malicious accusations.13 I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. 14 Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.
Hebrews 12:1-3
1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
Devotional:
Like the deaf frog who thought his companions were cheering him on when they were actually telling him to give up, sometimes our victory depends on ignoring the voices telling us we cannot make it.
The frogs at the top of the pit declared it too deep, impossible to escape. One frog believed them and quit. The other, unable to hear their discouragement, kept jumping until he reached freedom. He interpreted their croaking as encouragement rather than defeat.
Who are the voices in your life declaring your situation hopeless? Are you listening to common sense or the voice of truth? Before taking major advice, filter it through these questions: Does it align with God's Word? Does this person have spiritual fruit in this area? Am I acting from desperation or faith? Have I prayed about this?
Keep jumping. Keep trusting. Keep worshiping. The pit may be deep, but your God is deeper still. Let praise be your choice when circumstances would silence you.
Psalm 27:1-14
1 The Lord is my light and my salvation— whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life— of whom shall I be afraid? 2 When the wicked advance against me to devour[a] me, it is my enemies and my foes who will stumble and fall. 3 Though an army besiege me, my heart will not fear; though war break out against me, even then I will be confident. 4 One thing I ask from the Lord, this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the Lord and to seek him in his temple.
5 For in the day of trouble he will keep me safe in his dwelling; he will hide me in the shelter of his sacred tent and set me high upon a rock. 6 Then my head will be exalted above the enemies who surround me; at his sacred tent I will sacrifice with shouts of joy; I will sing and make music to the Lord. 7 Hear my voice when I call, Lord; be merciful to me and answer me. 8 My heart says of you, “Seek his face!” Your face, Lord, I will seek. 9 Do not hide your face from me, do not turn your servant away in anger; you have been my helper. Do not reject me or forsake me, God my Savior. 10 Though my father and mother forsake me, the Lord will receive me. 11 Teach me your way, Lord; lead me in a straight path because of my oppressors. 12 Do not turn me over to the desire of my foes, for false witnesses rise up against me, spouting malicious accusations.13 I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. 14 Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.
Hebrews 12:1-3
1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
Devotional:
Like the deaf frog who thought his companions were cheering him on when they were actually telling him to give up, sometimes our victory depends on ignoring the voices telling us we cannot make it.
The frogs at the top of the pit declared it too deep, impossible to escape. One frog believed them and quit. The other, unable to hear their discouragement, kept jumping until he reached freedom. He interpreted their croaking as encouragement rather than defeat.
Who are the voices in your life declaring your situation hopeless? Are you listening to common sense or the voice of truth? Before taking major advice, filter it through these questions: Does it align with God's Word? Does this person have spiritual fruit in this area? Am I acting from desperation or faith? Have I prayed about this?
Keep jumping. Keep trusting. Keep worshiping. The pit may be deep, but your God is deeper still. Let praise be your choice when circumstances would silence you.