Daily Devotionals
Daily Devotional: Psalms 73:1-7
Ps 73:1-7
1 Surely God is good to Israel, to those who are pure in heart. 2 But as for me, my feet had almost slipped; I had nearly lost my foothold. 3 For I envied the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked. 4 They have no struggles; their bodies are healthy and strong. 5 They are free from the burdens common to man; they are not plagued by human ills. 6 Therefore pride is their necklace; they clothe themselves with violence. 7 From their callous hearts comes iniquity; the evil conceits of their minds know no limits.
2 Tim 3:1-5
1 But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. 2 People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3 without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, 4 treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God- 5 having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with them.
One of the most common sins that precipitates so many others is selfishness. We get so caught up in self that we forget that life is not all about “me” and what “I” want or think I need. Paul says we are to be like God. God is love. Love (agape) is about giving. “God so loved” and “he gave” so that we might have eternal life. He was seeking our good. Jesus “gave up” the glories of heaven that were rightly his, so we could inherit glory with him. Love is about others not about ourselves.
When we think of the kind of people we are to become, we look to the qualities that are given for men who serve as elders or overseers. They are not to be self-willed, not lording it over others. As a shepherd gives of himself for his sheep and looks to their well-being, so the spiritual shepherd does for the church of God.
We look around us and we see wicked people prosper. We become envious of them and what they seem to have and the ease with which they live. Love does not envy and does not seek its own. In the place of judging, we are to love. When we are done wrong, we are to love our enemies and pray for them. Instead of getting even, we do them good with love, and let God take care of the vengeance.
Heavenly Father give me a heart just like yours, a heart of love and compassion so I will put aside myself and live for you. Open my eyes to see the opportunities to do good for others and to learn that giving is better than receiving. Help me not be selfish, greedy or envious but in humility be giving and kind; always seeking the good of those around me – even my enemies. Forgive me when I fail. Help me love others enough to share your gospel with them. Increase my faith. Be with the sick and give peace to those who are hurting. I pray in the name of Jesus.
Robert
