Daily Devotionals

Daily Devotionals

Daily Devotional: Psalms 124:1-8

Ps 124:1-8
1 If the LORD had not been on our side--let Israel say--2 if the LORD had not been on our side when men attacked us, 3 when their anger flared against us, they would have swallowed us alive; 4 the flood would have engulfed us, the torrent would have swept over us, 5 the raging waters would have swept us away. 6 Praise be to the LORD, who has not let us be torn by their teeth. 7 We have escaped like a bird out of the fowler's snare; the snare has been broken, and we have escaped. 8 Our help is in the name of the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth.
 
2 Cor 1:8-11
8 We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about the hardships we suffered in the province of Asia. We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired even of life. 9 Indeed, in our hearts we felt the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead.  10 He has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us. On him we have set our hope that he will continue to deliver us, 11 as you help us by your prayers. Then many will give thanks on our behalf for the gracious favor granted us in answer to the prayers of many.
 
What if God is not with us? What can we accomplish in life without the love of God protecting us and his Spirit guiding us? Paul says the resurrection of Jesus on our behalf is the basis of our hope and without that, we are the most pitiable of all people on earth. Without Jesus our hope is vain and our time is wasted in serving him. Paul lived his life as a Christian with the philosophy that he could do all things through Christ Jesus his Lord who gave him strength. We can too.
 
There is nothing in life, no trial or problem, that is too big for God to handle. We can get up each day and know that as the child of God we are safe because we have the power of God living in us that is beyond our ability to comprehend. That power is the Spirit of God by whom Jesus lives in us and God makes our hearts his temple. If God is for us, who can be against us? Thanks be to God in Jesus Christ our Lord; we have the victory over sin and death in him! Praise the Lord!
 
Heavenly Father it is such a joy to be able to trust you and know that no matter what I face, you are able and willing to help me through. Give me faith to trust you enough to lay my burdens at your feet and to turn all my stress over to you and leave it with you. I need your strength every day of my life. Help me look at others and see the opportunities to help them and to do good according to your will. While I can never pray enough about my own needs, help me not be selfish, but to pray for others and their burdens and needs. I pray in Jesus name.
 
Robert