Daily Devotionals
Daily Devotional: Psalms 147:7-14
Ps 147:7-14
7 Sing to the LORD with thanksgiving; make music to our God on the harp. 8 He covers the sky with clouds; he supplies the earth with rain and makes grass grow on the hills. 9 He provides food for the cattle and for the young ravens when they call. 10 His pleasure is not in the strength of the horse, nor his delight in the legs of a man; 11 the LORD delights in those who fear him, who put their hope in his unfailing love. 12 Extol the LORD, O Jerusalem; praise your God, O Zion, 13 for he strengthens the bars of your gates and blesses your people within you. 14 He grants peace to your borders and satisfies you with the finest of wheat.
1 Peter 2:16-17
16 Live as free men, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as servants of God. 17 Show proper respect to everyone: Love the brotherhood of believers, fear God, honor the king.
It is a dangerous thing to try to explain the mind of God and the reasons he does what he does when he has not revealed it to us. In general terms we know that God uses nations to carry out his purpose on earth. He raises up the rulers and nations but he can also destroy them at his bidding. When a nation prospers it is because God has allowed it to do so. When a nation struggles or falls it is because he has chosen it to be that way. Our job is to submit and pray for them.
In history he often used nations more wicked to punish nations that were not as evil but who were not following his will. This was difficult for the prophets of old to understand and is just as hard for us today. He sends his warnings to repent in various ways; it may be what we call natural disasters or it may be from other nations and their attacks. What we are told is that he will bless any nation that follows him and will punish the ones who do not. God is in control.
As his children we are to respect the authorities that he has put in place. This is every elected or appointed official at every level. We are to pray for them and not be disrespectful of them. The fact that they belong to a different party or we disagree with them ideologically does not change this responsibility. While it may be “in” to bash we must pray for them that we can live a quiet and peaceful life.
Heavenly Father I am thankful for the United States of America, for the freedoms we enjoy in so many ways. Thank you for blessing the efforts of our founding fathers and guiding them in framing our government. Thank you for all those who have given themselves and some their lives to make this possible. I pray for our current leaders at every level that they will look to you for wisdom and guidance to govern as you would have them to do. I ask you to harness the media that so often causes disturbances and destroys peace. I pray in the name of Jesus.
Robert
