Daily Devotionals
Daily Devotional: Psalms 119:81-88
Ps 119:81-88 Kaph
81 My soul faints with longing for your salvation, but I have put my hope in your word. 82 My eyes fail, looking for your promise; I say, "When will you comfort me?" 83 Though I am like a wineskin in the smoke, I do not forget your decrees. 84 How long must your servant wait? When will you punish my persecutors? 85 The arrogant dig pitfalls for me, contrary to your law. 86 All your commands are trustworthy; help me, for men persecute me without cause. 87 They almost wiped me from the earth, but I have not forsaken your precepts. 88 Preserve my life according to your love, and I will obey the statutes of your mouth.
Heb 11:32-33, 39-40
32 And what more shall I say? I do not have time to tell about Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel and the prophets, 33 who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, and gained what was promised; who shut the mouths of lions,… 39 These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised. 40 God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect.
Trusting God to act on our behalf is often easier than waiting on him and trusting his timing for it to happen. We have an emergency or crisis in our lives and we want relief now. We know it must happen as we are thinking but somehow it just doesn’t work that way. We wait and we pray and still we see nothing. We hurt but the pain doesn’t leave us and our sleepless nights continue. Where is God?
When we go back and read the stories of the men and women that are given as examples of faith, we see that often they waited for years. They suffered (and some even died) while they were waiting. God made promises to Abraham that he never saw fulfilled but he never doubted that God would do what he said, but in his own time. When we read the story of Samson, we see a man who was really “messed up” but who trusted God. God used him to carry out his plan.
Sometimes it is the extra strength to endure or the moments of comfort as we trust God that are his answers. He often will not take away our problem but will give us grace to endure. This leads us to greater faith so we can also help others.
Heavenly Father I am so thankful for your wisdom in my life. You know how many times I have messed up things, almost to the point that it seemed there was no solution. Yet, in your wisdom you extended your grace to me and worked things for my good to make me a better servant, a more diligent student and a more faithful disciple. Help me use all you teach me to be more like you and to teach, encourage and help others serve you and be what you want each of us to be. Be with those who are hurting today. I pray in the name of Jesus.
Robert
