Pastor Gary's OYB Devotion Archive for April 9

WHEN THE LORD BECAME KING

From: April 9, 2025

“Thus the Lord became king in Jeshurun, when the heads of the people were gathered, all the tribes of Israel together” (Deuteronomy 33:5 ESV).

This verse comes at the beginning of Moses’ final blessing to the tribes of Israel. Before speaking to each tribe, Moses affirmed a central truth: the Lord became King in Jeshurun. “Jeshurun” is a poetic name for Israel, meaning “upright one,” a picture of God’s people living in faithful devotion to Him.

The verse recalls a time when God’s kingship was visibly recognized among His people—most likely at Mount Sinai, when Israel gathered as one and entered into covenant with the Lord. God had always been sovereign, but in that moment, His people acknowledged His rule in a united, public way. It was a moment of worship, surrender, and shared purpose under His leadership.

This verse challenges us to ask: Do we recognize the Lord as King over our lives? As followers of Jesus, we know that God’s kingship is now fully revealed in Christ. He is our risen Redeemer, our reigning Lord, and our returning King. Just as Israel acknowledged God’s rule by gathering together in unity, we are called to live in submission to Christ and walk together as citizens of His Kingdom.

We must consider whether our lives reflect the authority of Christ. Are we submitting to His Word? Are we walking in obedience and humility? Are we faithfully gathering with other believers to glorify Him and carry out His mission? It’s easy to say Jesus is Lord, but much harder to live as if He truly reigns over every part of our lives.

Let us renew our commitment to honor Jesus as King—not just in our words, but in the way we live, worship, and serve.

PRAYER: Lord Jesus, You are our King. You are risen, reigning, and one day You will return in glory. Forgive us for the times we’ve tried to rule our own lives or have lived in disunity with others in Your Body. Today we bow before You. Reign in our hearts, guide our steps, and lead us in obedience to Your will. Unite us as Your people under Your Lordship. May our lives together reflect the beauty of Your Kingdom and the power of Your grace. We long for the day of Your return, until then, strengthen us to live for You. In Your name we pray, amen.

GOD DELIGHTS IN RAISING THE SMALL TO GREATNESS

From: April 9, 2024

“He chose David his servant and took him from the sheepfolds; from following the nursing ewes he brought him to shepherd Jacob his people, Israel his inheritance” (Psalm 78:70-71 ESV).

This is a description of King David, whom God took from the sheepfolds to the throne room, raising him up to be Israel’s greatest king. David was born in Bethlehem, one of the smallest towns in all Israel. He was the youngest of his father Jesse’s eight sons. Yet God saw in David “a man after His own heart” (1 Sam. 13:14). For “man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart” (1 Sam. 16:7).

God loves taking the least and raising them up to prominence. And God cares more for the inner than the outer life. He knew David’s heart. He knew that he could be trusted with God’s people. David would shepherd for God’s people just as carefully as he had his father’s sheep. David had an “upright heart,” a heart of integrity.

Integrity, that’s a character trait greatly needed in leaders today! But the youngest brother from Israel’s smallest town wasn’t just all heart. No, he had “skillful hands” to follow his heart. God had given him skill with people and with administration. David was the shepherd king, the greatest king Israel would ever know.

More than that, David was a foreshadowing of the true Shepherd King, who is Christ Jesus the Lord. Christ’s heart and hands are unmatched! His character and competence are beyond compare. He is the Shepherd who willingly lay down His life for the sheep.

PRAYER: Dear Father, we know that You delight in raising up the small, so that You receive the glory. You seek those who will give You the glory. Forgive us for where we take credit for that which You have clearly given us by Your grace. We boast in You today for all Your blessings. In Jesus’ name, amen.

THE PLANTED SEED BURSTS FORTH!

From: April 9, 2023

‘Then Jesus said, “What is the Kingdom of God like? How can I illustrate it? It is like a tiny mustard seed that a man planted in a garden; it grows and becomes a tree, and the birds make nests in its branches.”’ (Luke 13:18-19 NLT).

Jesus spoke this parable to illustrate the way the Kingdom of God would begin very small, but ultimately would grow very large. For the tiny mustard seed illustrates the Church’s humble beginnings, with its Galilean Founder crucified and buried in a tomb. Yet on the third day the Seed burst forth from the grave and the news of His resurrection has steadily grown like a tree to nearly fill the earth.

Christ, the Seed, was planted in the garden tomb, but He was raised to life and lives today. He is risen! He is risen, indeed! Let the whole earth be filled with His glory!

PRAYER: Dear Father, we give glory and praise to You on this Resurrection Sunday as we remember Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection. Strengthen us by Your Spirit to proclaim the good news until everyone has heard. In Jesus’ name, amen.

“Worry weighs a person down; an encouraging word cheers a person up” (Proverbs 12:25 NLT).

From: April 9, 2022

THE POWER OF AN ENCOURAGING WORD

Here we have another practical proverb given through Solomon. It has to do with the power of words and the effect they have on the hearer.

Consider your words. Are they like a pressure cooker or a pressure release for others? When you see someone struggling with anxiety, do your words give them something more to worry about? Or do your words encourage and lift them up?

Consider how people perceive you. When they see you coming, what do they expect? Does anxiety grow in them, anticipating criticism or trouble? Or do they lean towards you, hungry for the blessing of your words?

Of course, the best and most encouraging word is God’s Word. Fill your heart and mind with His Word and you’ll find that it flows from your tongue when needed to bless others.

PRAYER: Dear Father, we begin our day today with You and Your Word. We cast our care, our anxiety on You and fill our mouths with Your good words of encouragement and blessing. Strengthen us to speak them to others in the power of the Spirit today. In Jesus’ name, amen.

“He shepherded them with a pure heart and guided them with his skillful hands” (Psalm 78:72 HCSB).

From: April 9, 2021

GOD DELIGHTS IN RAISING UP THE SMALL TO GREATNESS

This is a description of King David, whom God took from the sheep pens to the throne room, raising him up to be Israel’s greatest king. David was born in Bethlehem, one of the smallest towns in all Israel. He was the youngest of his father Jesse’s eight sons. Yet God saw in David “a man after His own heart” (1 Sam. 13:14). For “man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart” (1 Sam. 16:7).

God loves taking the least and raising them up to prominence. And God cares more for the inner than the outer life. He knew David’s heart. He knew that he could be trusted with God’s people. David would shepherd for God’s people just as carefully as he had his father’s sheep. David had a “pure heart,” a heart of integrity.

Integrity, that’s a character trait greatly needed in leaders today! But the youngest brother from Israel’s smallest town wasn’t just all heart. No, he had “skillful hands” to follow his heart. God had given him skill with people and with administration. David was the shepherd king, the greatest king Israel would ever know.

More than that, David was a foreshadowing of the true Shepherd King, who is Christ Jesus the Lord. Christ’s heart and hands are unmatched! His character and competence are beyond compare. He is the Shepherd who willingly lay down His life for the sheep.

PRAYER: Dear Father, we know that You delight in raising up the small, so that You receive the glory. You seek those who will give You the glory. Forgive us for where we take credit for that which You have clearly given us by Your grace. We boast in You today for all Your blessings. In Jesus’ name, amen.

“Anxiety in the heart of man causes depression, But a good word makes it glad” (Proverbs 12:25 NKJV).

From: April 9, 2020

THE POWER OF A GOOD WORD

Are your words a pressure cooker or a pressure release for others? When you see someone struggling with anxiety, do they need something more to worry about? Or do they need a “good word” that lifts them up? Consider how people perceive you. When they see you coming, what do they expect? Does anxiety grow in them, anticipating criticism or trouble? Or do they lean towards you, hungry for the blessing of your words? Of course, the best word is God’s Word. Fill your heart and mind with His Word and you’ll find that it flows from your tongue when needed to bless others.

PRAYER: Dear Father, we begin our day today with You and Your Word. We cast our care, our anxiety on You and fill our mouths with Your good words of encouragement and blessing. Strengthen us to speak them to others in the power of the Spirit today. In Jesus’ name, amen.

“Not at all! And you will perish, too, unless you repent of your sins and turn to God” (Luke 13:3 NLT).

From: April 9, 2018

CONSIDER YOUR OWN SINFULNESS

After hearing the news of certain Galileans being murdered by Pilate in Jerusalem and of those who died when the tower in Siloam fell, Jesus corrected the people’s assumption that those who died must have been the worst of sinners. Jesus asked, “Do you think this happened to them because they were the worst sinners?”

Jesus answered His own question with, “Not a all!” They didn’t die because their sin was worse than others. They perished because sin always brings suffering and death.

Jesus urged the people to stop focusing on the sins of others and to consider their own sinfulness. Stop thinking you’re good because someone else’s sin seems worse than yours. Instead, “repent” of your own sinfulness. Focus on your own condition. Admit your sin and ask God to help you repent of it. Turn away (“repent”) of your sin and turn to God.

God doesn’t measure you by calculating your good works vs. you evil works. Nor does He compare you to the righteousness/unrighteousness of others. God judges you according to His standard of righteousness. And only One person has measured up to this standard–– Jesus. Therefore, repenting of your sins is recognition of your desparate need of Jesus as Savior. And turning to God is surrendering your will to Jesus as Lord.

‘Then He said, “What is the kingdom of God like? And to what shall I compare it? It is like a mustard seed, which a man took and put in his garden; and it grew and became a large tree, and the birds of the air nested in its branches”‘ (Luke 13:18-19 NKJV).

From: April 9, 2017

The planting and growth of the gospel is like the small, yet ultimately great growth of the mustard seed. The gospel seed was planted by Jesus into His small band of followers. It went unseen and unnoticed by most of the world at that time. Yet, before even a generation had passed, the apostles had carried the gospel throughout the Roman empire and beyond. Today, even many nations rest like birds on the branches of the gospel, supported by its work in men.

Have you received the mustard seed of the gospel? Have you planted it in your family and in your city? It always starts out small and barely seen, but it grows to have huge results!

“Anxiety in the heart of man causes depression, But a good word makes it glad” (Proverbs 12:25 NKJV)

From: April 9, 2015

Are your words a pressure cooker or a pressure release for others? When you see someone struggling with anxiety, do they need something more to worry about? Or do they need a “good word” that lifts them up? Consider how people perceive you. When they see you coming, what do they expect? Does anxiety grow in them, anticipating criticism or trouble? Or do they lean towards you, hungry for the blessing of your words? Of course, the best word is God’s Word. Fill your heart and mind with His Word and you’ll find that it flows from your tongue when needed to bless others.

“He cared for them with a true heart and led them with skillful hands” (Psalm 78:72 NLT)

From: April 9, 2014

This is a description of King David, whom God took from the sheep pens to the throne room and made a shepherd over Israel. God loves taking the least and raising them up to prominence. And God cares more for the inner than the outer life. He knew David’s heart. He knew that he could be trusted with God’s people. David “cared” for God’s people. David had a “true heart,” a heart of integrity. There’s a character trait greatly needed in our presidents and pastors today! But he wasn’t just all passion and no competence. No, he had hands to match his heart, God had given him skill with people and with administration. David was the shepherd king, the greatest king Israel had known. He was the foreshadowing of the true Shepherd King, which is Christ Jesus the Lord. Christ’s heart and hands are unmatched! He is the Shepherd who willingly lay down His life for the sheep.