Pastor's Daily Devotional : 2012

Scripture

It was now about the sixth hour, and darkness came over the whole land until the ninth hour, for the sun stopped shining. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two. Jesus called out with a loud voice, "Father, into your hands I commit my spirit." When he had said this, he breathed his last.                                                                                                                                                       Luke 23: 44-46

Observation

We have a loving Heavenly Father who loved us so much that He sent His Son to die for us. Through the work of the cross, Jesus made it possible for us to have relationship with God and be fully accepted by Him. When the curtain of the temple was torn in two, God was communicating that His very Presence would no longer be confined to the Holy of Holies in the Temple. The curtain was torn in two to signify that when Jesus died on the cross, this made it possible for us to have full access to God’s presence at any place and any time.  

We can say what Jesus said, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.” Though this is a statement that Jesus made at His death, we can commit ourselves to living in God’s presence every day and have access to His voice and His power.  

Application

As I draw close to God, I am struck by how I am able to be more mindful of His presence and have the desire to please Him in all things. Jesus faced death with a surrendered heart that trusted in His Father. I need to see that every day is an opportunity to die to my own selfishness and live for God and His eternal purposes.

I can commit my day to Him, my thoughts, my actions and my attitudes. I am drawn to be in His Presence where there is the refreshing work of His Spirit that renews me, restores me, guides me and strengthens me.

Prayer

Dear Father, thank you for the promise of your goodness and presence this day. Help me to live for you with all my heart. Come Lord Jesus and fill me with your love and your wisdom today. I set my heart to follow You and allow your Holy Spirit to guide me at all times. Into your hands I commit my life and my spirit.