SELAH DEVOTIONALS

These devotionals were created to encourage intentional pauses for reflection, fostering a deeper connection with God during your Juniper Tree Experience Selah.

 
 

DAY ONE—RHYTHM & REST

So the heavens and the earth were completed, and all their hosts (inhabitants). And by the seventh day God completed His work which He had done, and He rested (ceased) on the seventh day from all His work which He had done. So God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it [as His own, that is, set it apart as holy from other days], because in it He rested from all His work which He had created and done. —Genesis 2:1-3 (AMP)

Creation has rhythms designed by our Creator, and rest is included in those rhythms. The truth is, leaders do not always live within the biblical cadence set before us in Genesis. We try to grab some rest on a family vacation, or when we’re forced to bed with the latest viral bug, yet we do not practice a pattern of rest. Our schedules and lives have taken us further from Eden, and closer to Egypt.

The ancient Hebrew word “selah” carries profound significance of pause, inviting us to linger in contemplation, allowing God's truth to resonate deeply within our souls. Bible scholars generally agree that “selah” signifies a musical or liturgical pause—a moment of rest amidst the lyrical flow. As rests are essential for the breath of the singer and action of the musician, so physical and spiritual pauses are crucial to our well-being and inspiration. In the following Psalm, we witness David reflecting on his problems at hand, subsequently turning to the Person who is our true rest!

Lord, how are they increased that trouble me! many are they that rise up against me. Many there be which say of my soul, There is no help for him in God. Selah. But thou, O Lord, art a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head.  I cried unto the Lord with my voice, and he heard me out of his holy hill. Selah. I laid me down and slept; I awaked; for the Lord sustained me.  I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people, that have set themselves against me round about. Arise, O Lord; save me, O my God: for thou hast smitten all mine enemies upon the cheek bone; thou hast broken the teeth of the ungodly.  Salvation belongeth unto the Lord: thy blessing is upon thy people. Selah. —Psalm 3:1-8 (KJV)  

Selah is God’s invitation to rest, reflect, and respond to Him and His truth revealed in Scripture. As David pondered the trials of his life against the goodness of God, you are invited to embrace moments of selah in your pastoral calling.

Reflection and Practical Steps

Evaluate Your Rhythms: Reflect on your daily and weekly routines. Are you incorporating regular times of rest and reflection, or are you constantly in motion?

  • Action Step: Create a weekly schedule that includes intentional periods of rest. Set aside specific times each day to intentionally disconnect from your work and focus on God’s work.

Assess the Impact of Your Rhythms: Do your current rhythms bring anxiety or peace? Recognize areas where your schedule might be contributing to stress and consider adjustments.

Incorporate Moments of Selah: How can you embrace moments of "selah" in your daily life? These pauses allow you to see God’s protection, provision, and promises more clearly.

  • Action Step: Throughout your day, take short breaks to pause and reflect on God’s presence and goodness. Use these moments to pray, read scripture, or simply be still.

Find Rest in the Lord: Jesus invites us to come to Him for rest. Assess whether you are truly finding your rest in Him, or if you are relying on other means to find peace.

  • Action Step: Allow the promise of Matthew 11:28 to anchor your soul and guide you to a deeper, more restful relationship with Christ.

“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” —Matthew 11:28 (KJV)

Our prayer is that you find true “R and R" today and all week!

DAY TWO—WAIT

Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord. —Psalm 27:14 (KJV)

Hurrying to the next church growth concept is instinctive in many of us. Forging ahead is what we do, without lingering to see what God’s ways or will might be. It’s not a given that pastors are “waiting” on the Lord. It is a definite that many pastors fit the “weary, worn and sad” (and/or fearful) description, and an incessant “advance” mindset could be a factor in our felt exhaustion.

Waiting on the Lord demands patience and listening. It entails a knowledge of God and a recognition of His voice. It requires a brave heart that trusts in Him, and in His course of action. Waiting is confidently expecting—anticipating—God to do His work.

God is not a benign and distant god. He is a participatory and present Father. Consider the promises He has given in His Word and to you throughout your ministry.

Reflection and Practical Steps

Identify Your Hopes: Reflect on what you are eagerly hoping for from God. Are these hopes aligned with His will and timing?

  • Action Step: Write down your hopes and prayers, and commit them to God, asking for His guidance and timing.

Examine Your Ways: Consider whether you have been caught up in pursuing your own plans rather than seeking God’s will. Have your actions been driven by impatience or a desire for quick results?

  • Action Step: Take time to pray and seek God’s direction before making decisions. Practice pausing and asking for His guidance in every step you take.

Address Cowardice: Reflect on whether fear has influenced your actions and decisions. Waiting on the Lord requires courage and a heart that trusts in His plans.

  • Action Step: Identify areas where fear has crept in and counter them with God’s promises of strength and courage. Meditate on Psalm 27:14 and other scriptures that affirm God’s faithfulness.

Practice Waiting and Resting: How can you actively wait on the Lord and rest in His strength today? Waiting is not passive; it involves active trust and anticipation of God’s work.

  • Action Step: Set aside specific times each day to wait on the Lord in prayer and meditation. Use this time to listen for His voice and reflect on His past faithfulness.

For from days of old no one has heard, nor has ear perceived, Nor has the eye seen a God besides You, Who works and acts in behalf of the one who [gladly] waits for Him. —Isaiah 64:4 (AMP)

Waiting on the Lord is a courageous act of faith. It requires trusting in His perfect timing and methods, even when immediate action seems more appealing. Embrace this discipline as a vital part of your pastoral journey, allowing God to strengthen your heart and guide your steps. Remember, He is a present Father, and His promises are sure. Let God work while you wait, and find rest and renewal in His presence.

DAY THREE—ABIDE

The one who remains in Me and I in him bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing… . If you remain in Me and My words remain in you [that is, if we are vitally united and My message lives in your heart], ask whatever you wish and it will be done for you. —John 15:5, 7 (AMP)

Each of us desires to know we have been effective. Success and legacy are words we speak of and mull over regularly. Opportunist that he is, the enemy uses those times when we become drained by the problems, demands and comparisons of church life, to taunt us with our failures and weaknesses. Leaders can often be lured away from the Vine in attempts to get spiritual nourishment or find significance from other sources.

The promises in these verses from the mouth of Jesus are nothing to gloss over. They are, in fact, key to our joy and fulfillment, and His glory and pleasure. When we live in Jesus every single day, it is a “life-giving sap” flowing into our lives (John Piper). The intimacy from abiding in Jesus (and His love) ensures that His wishes become our wishes. We can ask, and receive. We can know, without a doubt, that our life and ministry has affected others. We can live—and die—with assurance that what we have received and contributed is Gospel legacy, which will continue to bring renown to the name and kingdom of God; and frankly, it is all that really matters.

My Father is glorified and honored by this, when you bear much fruit, and prove yourselves to be My [true] disciples.  I have loved you just as the Father has loved Me; remain in My love [and do not doubt My love for you]. If you keep My commandments and obey My teaching, you will remain in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and remain in His love. I have told you these things so that My joy and delight may be in you, and that your joy may be made full and complete and overflowing. —John 15:8, 11 (AMP)

Reflection and Practical Steps

Evaluate Your Daily Life: Reflect on where you spend most of your time and energy. Are you investing in your relationship with Christ, or are other activities consuming you?

  • Action Step: Schedule daily time for prayer and meditation on God's Word, ensuring that abiding in Christ is a priority.

Identify What’s Sapping Your Strength: Recognize sources of stress, exhaustion, or distraction. Are there unresolved conflicts, excessive commitments, or personal struggles?

  • Action Step: Address these issues through prayer, seeking counsel, and making necessary adjustments to reduce their impact on your spiritual well-being.

Assess Your Joy: Is your joy full, complete, and overflowing as Jesus promises? If not, consider what might be hindering it.

  • Action Step: Engage in activities that restore joy, such as worship, fellowship with other believers, and remembering God’s past faithfulness.

Embrace the Vinedresser’s Pruning: Are you allowing God to prune away unproductive or selfish pursuits? This process, though sometimes painful, leads to greater fruitfulness and deeper joy.

I am the true Vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit, He takes away; and every branch that continues to bear fruit, He [repeatedly] prunes, so that it will bear more fruit [even richer and finer fruit]. —John 15:1-2 (AMP)

  • Action Step: Regularly invite God to reveal and remove areas of your life that are not bearing fruit. Trust His process and submit to His pruning.

If misery is a consistent companion, check your fruit. Love is the first on the list in Galatians 5, it’s the summation of the Gospel, and it’s the place where Jesus’ instructed us to live/remain!  Additionally, a rogue branch is a dead branch. Let the Vinedresser snip off anything unproductive or solely individualistic, and go propagate!

DAY FOUR—PEACE

And God’s peace [shall be yours, that tranquil state of a soul assured of its salvation through Christ, and so fearing nothing from God and being content with its earthly lot of whatever sort that is, that peace] which transcends all understanding shall garrison and mount guard over your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. —Philippians 4:7 (AMP)

Pastoring is more than a grind; it’s a spiritual battleground, and the enemy has an arsenal of weapons. Saving souls, strengthening homes and families, raising up leaders, and preaching truth indirectly invites attacks from satan. Those attacks are largely aimed at our home and family. Peace in our personal spaces—our physical and mental houses—are threatened. Chaos and discord loom.

However, we are not without our own stockpile of armament. Anxiety, stress, fear and doubt are the enemy’s devices. Logos, agape and eirene (shalom) are the Christian leaders’ weaponry. Paul gives an actual and a visual in the verse above, of what the peace from the Lord is—a fort or a leader, a place or a person. God is our peace and He can lead us to a place of peace in the middle of the strongest or darkest battle.

For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace; And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby: And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh. For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father. —Ephesians 2:14-18 (KJV)

Pastoring is a demanding vocation that involves both visible and invisible battles. Pastoral couples often face spiritual attacks aimed at disrupting their peace and harmony. Recognizing this reality helps in preparing and fortifying oneself against these challenges.

Reflection and Practical Steps

How has Jesus fulfilled His role as the Prince of Peace, a garrison of peace, and Jehovah Shalom in your lives?

Identify Threats to Inner Peace: What current circumstances threaten your peace? This could be conflicts within the church, personal health issues, financial stress, or family concerns.

  • Action Step: List these threats and pray over each one, asking God to intervene and provide His peace.

Assess Your Thought Patterns: Do your thoughts instinctively lean towards tranquility or turbulence? Recognize patterns of worry or fear, and confront them with the truth of Scripture.

  • Action Step: Whenever a turbulent thought arises, counter it with a scripture that speaks peace.

Establish Guards for Peace: What safeguards have you put in place to maintain peace in your home, life, and ministry? This could include regular prayer, devotional time, counseling, or simply creating a restful home environment.

  • Action Step: Implement practical steps such as setting aside daily quiet time for prayer and reflection, having open communication with your spouse about challenges, and creating a peaceful home environment free of unnecessary stressors.

Build an Altar of Peace

Then Gideon built an altar there unto the Lord, and called it Jehovahshalom. —Judges 6:24 (KJV)

Just as Gideon built an altar and named it Jehovahshalom, pastoral couples can establish regular moments or places dedicated to seeking God's peace. This could be a weekly prayer meeting with your spouse, a quiet corner in your home for personal prayer, or even a symbolic item that reminds you of God’s peace.

  • Action Step: Dedicate a specific place in your home or church as your "altar of peace," where you regularly go to seek God’s presence and peace. Rest today in the assurance that God is our Peace. Shalom!