Daily Devotionals
Daily Devotional: Psalms 107:39-43
Ps 107:39-43
Then their numbers decreased, and they were humbled by oppression, calamity and sorrow; he who pours contempt on nobles made them wander in a trackless waste. But he lifted the needy out of their affliction and increased their families like flocks. The upright see and rejoice, but all the wicked shut their mouths. Whoever is wise, let him heed these things and consider the great love of the Lord.
3 John 11
Dear friend, do not imitate what is evil but what is good. Anyone who does what is good is from God. Anyone who does what is evil has not seen God.
Gal 6:7
Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows.
There is an old saying in the south that says “the proof is in the puddin”. This principle is worded in various ways but is found throughout the word of God. If we live for the Lord, we will be blessed by him and protected by him. If we refuse to acknowledge him as God or give him thanks as God, we can expect nothing from him in return. He has never promised anything but calamity to those who reject him and who refuse to put their trust in him and in his Son, Jesus Christ.
Jesus once said that there would be people who called him Lord and who claimed to serve him but who would be told in the judgment to depart, because I never knew you. In the days of Jesus, the Pharisees and the Sadducees both claimed to have some special knowledge of God and claimed to be following him, but were rebuked by him throughout his ministry. They could not get along with each other and both felt the other was lost, but they conspired together to kill Jesus.
Their religion was based on an outward show of piety. It was based on their belief that being right on every point would earn them favor with God. Their religion was all about them, who they were, what they did, what they believed, and what they could demand of others. They were not serving God. They were serving themselves and their own egos. They felt that God owed them his favor. But the Publican, whom they looked down on as the ultimate sinner, just poured out his heart in trust to God and fell on his mercy. He was the one Jesus said was justified.
Hear me when I call, O God my righteousness. I come to you in my weakness and in my realization that compared to you, I am nothing. When I have done my best to serve you, I am like filthy rags before you. I know that my sin took Jesus to the cross, for which I am eternally grateful, but forever sorrowful. Thank you for forgiving me and giving me peace within. Use me to share your wonderful love, and your grace, and your forgiveness to those who are lost in sin. Give your healing and peace to those who are sick and struggling. In Jesus’ name.
Robert
