Verse: Galatians 1:13-17
13 For you have heard of my previous way of life in Judaism, how intensely I persecuted the church of God and tried to destroy it. 14 I was advancing in Judaism beyond many of my own age among my people and was extremely zealous for the traditions of my fathers. 15 But when God, who set me apart from my mother’s womb and called me by his grace, was pleased 16 to reveal his Son in me so that I might preach him among the Gentiles, my immediate response was not to consult any human being. 17 I did not go up to Jerusalem to see those who were apostles before I was, but I went into Arabia. Later I returned to Damascus.

Devotion
What has God done for you?

This passage is inspiring to me this morning. It makes me think of the things in my life that are my “previous way of life.” It makes me think of how without God my life would be different. It makes me think of the “but when God” moments that have happened in my life, where God has intervened and my life has been changed.

This morning, let the day start for you with some reflection on what you are grateful for that God has freed you from in your life. What things in your life has God delivered you from, saved you from, and healed you from? In what ways has God turned things around for you in your life?

Think about the big things and the small things. Take a moment before going any further and spend some time in prayers of gratitude.

Sometimes I am guilty of moving on and forgetting. This is what I mean: I may be having an issue in my life that I am SO concerned about. I pray and pray and pray. It seems like a huge issue. And then, at some point, God brings resolution in my life. And then….I move on. I just move on. It’s like I move on to the next problem or issue. But do I ever really live in gratitude? Do I spend as much time thanking God for his work in my life, as I do asking him to work in my life?

It reminds me of when Jesus healed the ten lepers, and only one came back to thank him. Jesus said, “Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine? Has no one returned to give praise to God except this foreigner?”” (Luke 17:17-18). Convicting, right?

I don’t want to be the one who forgets to come back. I don’t want to be the one who just moves on, and takes for granted the mercies and goodness of God. Do you?

So today, let’s be purposefully grateful. Take time to reflect on the “previous” things in your life that God has delivered you from, and allow that gratitude to increase your faith, strengthen your joy, and lift your heart.

Prayer
See above.

Author: Christian Dunn