Daily Devotionals
Daily Devotional: Psalms 86:12-17
Ps 86:12-17
12 I will praise you, O Lord my God, with all my heart; I will glorify your name forever. 13 For great is your love toward me; you have delivered me from the depths of the grave. 14 The arrogant are attacking me, O God; a band of ruthless men seeks my life--men without regard for you. 15 But you, O Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness. 16 Turn to me and have mercy on me; grant your strength to your servant and save the son of your maidservant. 17 Give me a sign of your goodness, that my enemies may see it and be put to shame, for you, O LORD, have helped me and comforted me.
Phil 2:1-4
1 If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, 2 then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. 3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. 4 Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.
When we read the Sermon on the Mount by Jesus, we often focus on how much his teaching goes against human nature. We are to respond to hate with love and go beyond our action in being righteous to the point of controlling the thoughts of our hearts. Several times Jesus says you have heard and then adds, but I say to declare truth that is what we are inside and not just what others see in us.
Paul says that God is the God of all comforts and gives us his comfort so we can comfort others with what we have received. Trials come upon us in various ways and times. Some are big and some are small. Some are minor in their effects upon us while others are devastating and life changing. All of these can be used to build up our faith and prepare us to help others in their distress and problems.
God is a God of compassion and grace. What a blessing to serve the God of the universe, creator of all things and yet who knows each of us by our name. He is seeking our good and offers forgiveness to all who will come to Christ.
Heavenly Father it is so good to know that you know me. What a comfort you are in the midst of trying times and uncertainty of this world. We see chaos all around us in a world filled with hatred, bitterness and strife. Keep me from ever allowing these things to be a part of my life but help me imitate Jesus in being filled with love and kindness. It is so easy to let unkind words come from my mouth or to find bitterness in my heart so I need your patience and your forgiveness. Most of all I need your Spirit to fill my heart and my life. I pray in the name of Jesus.
Robert
