Daily Devotionals
Daily Devotional: Psalms 63:6-11
Ps 63:6-11
On my bed I remember you; I think of you through the watches of the night. Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings. My soul clings to you; your right hand upholds me. They who seek my life will be destroyed; they will go down to the depths of the earth. They will be given over to the sword and become food for jackals. But the king will rejoice in God; all who swear by God's name will praise him, while the mouths of liars will be silenced.
Rom 13:5-7
Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also because of conscience. This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God's servants, who give their full time to governing. Give everyone what you owe him: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.
Priorities!? What really matters? What is important? Like monkeys in a cage, a lot of Christians have been trained to say that God is first, then family and last of all is me. So this slogan is repeated verbally but is never seen in practice. What we put first in our lives does matter. “Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness.” “The first and great command is to love the Lord God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.” “Keep seeking the things above, where Christ is seated.”
For many, the economy is most important. Many elections have been won or lost over this. For some, politics dominate their lives. They sit and watch the idiot box for hours, listening to someone trying to brainwash them into thinking their way. If anyone dare question their political party, woe is them. For a lot in the world, the top priority is sports. It may be mini leagues, high school, college, or professional, or all of these, but sports dominate their minds and their lives.
While these things are not necessarily wrong in themselves, and they entertain us, or they affect our lives in important ways, all of these things and a lot of others are temporary, short lived and have no real importance to the world. What is important is that we serve God, live for him, and try to lead others to him. What matters is allowing the Spirit of God to live in us and learning to be like Jesus.
O Lord God, help me keep the things of this earth in their proper place in my mind and in my life. Help me always remember that “it is never foolish to give up that which cannot last, to receive that which is eternal.” I ask you to give wisdom to our leaders and guide them in a way that we will be able to live quiet and peaceful lives, in all godliness. Let me lead someone to Jesus. Use me to help someone who is hurting or who has some special need. Be with and comfort those who have lost loved ones in recent days and weeks. I pray in the name of Jesus.
Robert
