Daily Devotionals
Daily Devotional: Psalms 19:7-11
Ps 19:7-11
The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple; the precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes; the fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever; the rules of the Lord are true, and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and drippings of the honeycomb. Moreover, by them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward.
2 Tim 3:16-17
All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.
God knows what is best for all of us. His word is filled with commands, precepts, rules, and even more principles for us to follow. Many of these are positive and make really good sense when we think about them. Love. Be kind. Forgive. Be tender-hearted. Be patient. There are also a lot of negative things that are given, and each is for our own good. Do not gossip. Do not lie. Do not be hateful. Do not be bitter. Do not hold a grudge. Often these are given in contrast to each other.
Love your spouse and treat them with respect. Be faithful to them. A part of being faithful means that when there are problems, you find a mutual solution. Rules again: be angry but do not sin and do not let the sun go down on your anger. The only way to do this to have open communication – being able to talk freely (but kindly in love) and share your true feelings, without either getting angry. Learn to kiss and make up – that is always more fun than arguing, fussing or fighting!
Feelings are funny things. They are real – just as real as the chair or the computer or the house – they are real. They may be misguided. They may not have a valid basis for existing. But they are real. If I feel that I have been slighted, that feeling is real, whether I have been slighted or not. It may be a misunderstanding on my part, or it may be on the part of someone else, but my feelings are real. Learn to talk about it with an open mind and a loving heart. Learn to apologize.
O Lord God, thank you for telling me how to have a good life while living here on earth. Thank you for telling me how to get along with other people, but also for reminding me that there are some people with whom there will never be any peace and that it is just best to avoid them. Help me to be at peace with everyone when possible. Give me an honest heart, honest with others but also honest with myself so I will be willing to admit when I am wrong. Help me know how to listen better and to guard my lips and what I say. I pray in Jesus’ name.
Robert