Daily Devotionals
Daily Devotional: Psalms 143:7-12
Ps 143:7-12
7 Answer me quickly, O LORD; my spirit fails. Do not hide your face from me or I will be like those who go down to the pit. 8 Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul. 9 Rescue me from my enemies, O LORD, for I hide myself in you. 10 Teach me to do your will, for you are my God; may your good Spirit lead me on level ground. 11 For your name's sake, O LORD, preserve my life; in your righteousness, bring me out of trouble. 12 In your unfailing love, silence my enemies; destroy all my foes, for I am your servant.
David, the mighty king of Israel had come from a modest family from within one of the smaller tribes of Israel. He was the youngest of several boys and had grown up as a shepherd. It was as a young man, tending the sheep out in the fields that he had learned to trust God. Obviously someone had taught him about God and all that God had done for his people. He was proud to be an Israelite and to be considered one of God’s special people. In this he understood that all he did was a testimony about God; either his life would bring glory to God or would bring shame to his holy name. He loved God and trusted him with his life.
This is the same sentiment that Paul expressed when he said that for him to die would be gain but to live would be Christ. This is because when Paul became a Christian, his life was dedicated and given to Christ. He said that he no longer lived but Christ was living in him by faith. Paul trusted Jesus and God to protect him and then to use him to spread the gospel. He realized that all he did was a reflection on the Savior; either serving as an attraction or detraction to those who witnessed his life. His new mission was to win others to Christ.
What is our mission? What is our goal? Are we concerned about what others see in us and in our lives? Being a Christian is a commitment to God and to Christ that we will give up ourselves and allow them to live in us through the Spirit. So when we suffer or we are tempted, we are to remember that we are sharing in the sufferings of Christ. Others will see our faith, our joy, our peace and our love which will lead them to Christ also.
Heavenly Father, help me be truly committed to you and to serving Jesus in every part of my life. As I go about my day to day activities, help me show forth the joy of being yours. Give me a spirit of peace, a heart of joy and a life of love toward all those around me so they will see Jesus in me. Help me never forget that it is only by your grace that I am what I am and only by your forgiveness that I am made right with you. Help me therefore to be patient, considerate, kind and forgiving to others around me. I pray in the name of Jesus my Lord and King.
Robert
