Daily Devotionals
Daily Devotional: Psalm 97:1-6
Psalm 97:1-6
1 The LORD reigns, let the earth be glad; let the distant shores rejoice. 2 Clouds and thick darkness surround him; righteousness and justice are the foundation of his throne. 3 Fire goes before him and consumes his foes on every side. 4 His lightning lights up the world; the earth sees and trembles. 5 The mountains melt like wax before the LORD, before the Lord of all the earth. 6 The heavens proclaim his righteousness, and all the peoples see his glory.
Paul says everyone is without excuse if they refuse to acknowledge God as God and serve him. This is true because all people can see his glory. When the storms come and the lighting flashes across the sky, we can see his power. When the thunder rolls and the ground quakes, we can feel his majesty. When we see mass destruction in the form of earthquakes, tornadoes or hurricanes we are seeing just a fraction of his power unleashed on the earth. And yet, in the midst of the storm on the sea, Jesus spoke and all became calm.
In our lives we may have storms and even tornadoes but when we put our trust in God and we serve Jesus as our Lord, he can calm the worst storm. There is nothing that happens to us that goes unseen or is too big for our Lord to control. He can heal the wounded soul and bring joy in the midst of pain. No matter what we face, he will give his Spirit to strengthen us and to comfort us.
Once a year in this country we set aside a day for thanksgiving. However, for most even this day is more a day of football or shopping than for giving thanks. We need to give thanks every day for the many blessings we enjoy. God has provided us a place to live and most of us live in luxury when compared to the majority of the world. We live with so many freedoms that most of the world only dream can exist. We have been blessed (or cursed) with technology that was considered science fiction when I was a child. We need to thank our God!
Heavenly Father, I thank you for placing me in a family that serves you and has respect for you as God. Thank you for having parents who taught me to love you and love your word and then showed me how to live for you. Thank you for giving me brothers and a sister who love me. I know that my wife is an answer to the prayers of my parents as she helps me in so many ways to serve you and loves me when I am unlovable and I give you thanks for her. Thank you for my son, my daughter-in-law and my grandson who are all answers to my prayers. Lord, every day I am thankful for so many who have been and continue to be a help and encouragement to me in my teaching, preaching and service to you. Thank you for the spiritual family you have given me in Christ and for all the joy we give to each other. Forgive me when I fail you. I pray in the name of Jesus.
--Robert
