Daily Devotionals
Daily Devotional: Psalms 79:1-8
Ps 79:1-8
1 O God, the nations have invaded your inheritance; they have defiled your holy temple, they have reduced Jerusalem to rubble. 2 They have given the dead bodies of your servants as food to the birds of the air, the flesh of your saints to the beasts of the earth. 3 They have poured out blood like water all around Jerusalem, and there is no one to bury the dead. 4 We are objects of reproach to our neighbors, of scorn and derision to those around us. 5 How long, O LORD? Will you be angry forever? How long will your jealousy burn like fire? 6 Pour out your wrath on the nations that do not acknowledge you, on the kingdoms that do not call on your name; 7 for they have devoured Jacob and destroyed his homeland. 8 Do not hold against us the sins of the fathers; may your mercy come quickly to meet us, for we are in desperate need.
Rev 16:4-7
4 The third angel poured out his bowl on the rivers and springs of water, and they became blood. 5 Then I heard the angel in charge of the waters say: "You are just in these judgments, you who are and who were, the Holy one, because you have so judged; 6 for they have shed the blood of your saints and prophets, and you have given them blood to drink as they deserve." 7 And I heard the altar respond: "Yes, Lord God Almighty, true and just are your judgments."
God is in control. We may not always see it or understand his plan but he sees and knows all that is going on here on earth. With his unlimited knowledge and his infinite power, he is able to always carry out his plan. His plan for you and me is that we live our lives in such a way that when we leave this earth, we will be with him for eternity in the new heaven and the new earth.
God’s people have always been mistreated. This is because the world is under the control of Satan, the arch-enemy of God. His plan is to convince as many as he can that God does not really want what is best for us and to get us to follow him and his ways. So, he will use any means possible to carry out his mission while he has time. This includes temptations to sin in the form of lusts but also includes trials, hardships, pain and suffering. But God has already won the victory over Satan and over sin and death through the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus.
Heavenly Father, I am so thankful for the way of salvation you have provided to me through the work of Jesus your Son. Give me stronger faith and determination to always trust you in all things. I ask a special prayer for your mercy and help to those who are being physically persecuted (and even put to death) for their faith in you. Give them strength to overcome; to always be faithful to you. Be with those who have suffered in the recent storms. I pray in the name of Jesus.
Robert
