Daily Devotionals
Daily Devotional: Psalms 37:7-13
Ps 37:7-13
Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him; do not fret when men succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes. Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret--it leads only to evil. For evil men will be cut off, but those who hope in the LORD will inherit the land. A little while, and the wicked will be no more; though you look for them, they will not be found. But the meek will inherit the land and enjoy great peace. The wicked plot against the righteous and gnash their teeth at them; but the Lord laughs at the wicked, for he knows their day is coming.
Matt 5:7-12
Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. "Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
Why do evil people seem to succeed in life, while the righteous fail? Why are good people struggling while the wicked live in ease? This question has been asked for most of time and from our perspective, the answer is fleeting. David, Solomon, and Job all asked this question. Each of these came to realize that the answer is not in this world, but true success is measured in eternity.
Jesus dealt with this same question when he spoke to the wealthy Jews of his day, who supposed that their wealth was a sign of their righteousness and acceptance by God. He told them a story of a rich man who ended in torment while the poor beggar found peace and rest in the bosom of Abraham.
So, one problem may be how we count one righteous as opposed to how God counts it. The Publican was far more righteous than the Pharisee but the common view was just the opposite. God is the judge and he will punish the wicked in the end, while the righteous will live with him in eternity. Our goal in life is to hear the words: “Well done, good and faithful servant, enter into the joys of my kingdom.”
O Lord my God, Jesus my Savior and Lord, I come to you in abject humility, yet in total confidence that you will hear me. You are the creator; I am the creation. You are the potter; I am the clay. Mold me in the power of your Spirit and make me more like Jesus every day in my heart and in my life. There are so many who are filled with anguish or grief, live in pain, suffer from disease, those having surgery, those taking treatments, and I ask you to be with each one. In Jesus name.
Robert
