Daily Devotionals
Daily Devotional: Psalms 28:3-5
Ps 28:3-5
Do not drag me off with the wicked, with the workers of evil, who speak peace with their neighbors while evil is in their hearts. Give to them according to their work and according to the evil of their deeds; give to them according to the work of their hands; render them their due reward. Because they do not regard the works of the Lord or the work of his hands, he will tear them down and build them up no more.
2 Tim 4:3-5
For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths. As for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.
Paul warned Timothy that the time was coming when teachers in the Lord’s church would put on a pretense but not serve God from the heart. They would have the appearance of godliness but deny its power. In doing this, they would lead others astray from the purity of the word. He said they are imposters and would continue from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived.
In light of this, he tells Timothy to preach the word, reprove, rebuke and exhort as the situation dictates. But he also adds a word of encouragement for this young preacher when he assures him that the Lord knows those who are his. In other words, he is telling Timothy that it is not his job to police the brotherhood, just teach the truth where he had opportunity. The Lord is the judge of others.
Paul told the Galatians that there were parties and factions within God’s people and that some of those who were leaders were determined to build their party at the expense of the purity of the gospel and the peace of the church. It is amazing how little people have changed after two thousand years.
The problem underlying the Pharisees, these groups that Paul describes, and some today are acting from selfish motives because of pride and personal ego. How do we respond? Study God’s word. Pray for wisdom. Do what is right.
O Lord God, give me your wisdom, the wisdom that is from above and is pure, peaceable, gentle, open to reason, but full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. Help me be a peacemaker and not one who stirs up strife. Thank you for the opportunities you have given me by allowing me to be born in the place and time that I live. Use me to help others to want to live for you and to encourage those who are struggling in various ways. I pray in the name of Jesus.
Robert