Daily Devotionals
Daily Devotional: Psalms 35:24-28
Ps 35:24-28
24 Vindicate me in your righteousness, O LORD my God; do not let them gloat over me. 25 Do not let them think, "Aha, just what we wanted!" or say, "We have swallowed him up." 26 May all who gloat over my distress be put to shame and confusion; may all who exalt themselves over me be clothed with shame and disgrace. 27 May those who delight in my vindication shout for joy and gladness; may they always say, "The LORD be exalted, who delights in the well-being of his servant." 28 My tongue will speak of your righteousness and of your praises all day long.
2 Tim 3:1-5
2 People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3 without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, 4 treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God- 5 having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with them.
As long as this world exists there will be people who are wicked but there will be those who put their trust in God. There will also be those who are poor and some who are wealthy (with others somewhere between). These are not necessarily related. Some who are faithful to God are rich while some are poor. Wealth is neither a sign of righteousness nor wickedness. While many factors determine a person’s wealth, it all comes from God and in reality, belongs to him now.
As ideally as it may sound, we will never eradicate poverty; not in this country or in the world. Some poverty is short lived and due to temporary circumstances while some is handed down for generations and is part of the culture of those involved. This is not to say this chain cannot be broken with hard work.
What we can do is help those who cannot help themselves and show compassion to those who are truly in need. The law given by Moses was full of instruction and commands to help those who were poor. But God’s people have always been told to have a good work ethic and to be honest in their dealings. We use what God has given us in abilities and opportunities, while trusting him for the results.
Lord God give me a heart of compassion so I will not be selfish or greedy but will want to help those in need. Open my eyes to see the opportunities to help and give me wisdom to discern between those truly in need and those who just will not work. Lord, help me also use my time and energy to help others who are lonely or who need encouraging. Put a kind word on my lips that will lift a load or brighten a day. Thank you for all you have given me in material things, in abilities and especially for the privilege of being your child. I pray in Jesus name.
Robert
