Daily Devotionals
Daily Devotional: Psalms 119:49-56
Psalms 119:49-56
Zayin
49 Remember your word to your servant, for you have given me hope. 50 My comfort in my suffering is this: Your promise preserves my life. 51 The arrogant mock me without restraint, but I do not turn from your law. 52 I remember your ancient laws, O LORD, and I find comfort in them. 53 Indignation grips me because of the wicked, who have forsaken your law. 54 Your decrees are the theme of my song wherever I lodge. 55 In the night I remember your name, O LORD, and I will keep your law. 56 This has been my practice: I obey your precepts.
We too can rely on the promises of God. No matter what we face in life our God is with us and has promised to never leave us. He has promised to never allow us to be tempted beyond what we are able to bear but with each temptation will provide a way of escape. This means we are responsible for trusting him, for using the strength he provides and for finding the way of escape he provides.
One of the things that becomes an issue with us many times is that God does not work on our timetable. We are looking for instant solutions. We are wanting a quick and easy fix. After all, we live in a world where we take a pill and the pain is gone or we put our plate in a microwave and our food is warm. We get upset when we have to wait fifteen seconds for our computer to do its thing. We want it and we want it now but God does not work that way.
In fact the waiting and enduring is often part of God’s plan for us. It is in these that we build strength and character. It is through these that our faith is tested and made stronger. And then sometimes God just provides the strength and the endurance to deal with it but never takes away the problem, the pain or the suffering. Paul prayed three times for God to take away his “thorn in the flesh” but God told him “no” but his grace was sufficient for him. So Paul said that his faith was made strong in weakness and in suffering. God’s grace is still sufficient for us but we can find strength, patience, solace and peace in God.
O God, thank you for all you have given me in my life. I have enjoyed so much beyond what I ever dreamed possible. Thank you for my family and all the joy they give me every day. Help me be a better, husband, father, father-in-law, grandfather, son and brother. I thank you for my spiritual family and the many brother and sisters who are a constant encouragement to me. Use me to do more to teach and encourage them. Lord, I have it so easy in this wonderful country but I know there are others in other places that have a very difficult time just having the necessities of life. Some are persecuted for serving you. Please be with them and give them what they need. I pray in the name of Jesus.
--Robert
