Daily Devotionals
Daily Devotional: Psalms 119:57-64
Psalms 119:57-64
Heth
57 You are my portion, O LORD; I have promised to obey your words. 58 I have sought your face with all my heart; be gracious to me according to your promise. 59 I have considered my ways and have turned my steps to your statutes. 60 I will hasten and not delay to obey your commands. 61 Though the wicked bind me with ropes, I will not forget your law. 62 At midnight I rise to give you thanks for your righteous laws. 63 I am a friend to all who fear you, to all who follow your precepts. 64 The earth is filled with your love, O LORD; teach me your decrees.
Many years ago I remember a person that I considered at the time to be one of the most godly people I knew. I had often thought that if I could only be like him I would know I was pleasing to God. He was always busy in teaching, preaching and helping others. Many looked to him for advice. He even had a business that was involved in providing spiritual books to churches and individuals. He announced one day that he needed to make a drastic change in his life. He had been doing all the right things for the wrong reasons and his focus had become making more money and not reaching souls. What a shock this was to me!
We all need to examine ourselves and do it honestly. Not only do we need to look at our lives and see what we are doing or not doing but why we are doing them or why we are not doing them. It is so easy for a preacher, teacher or elder in a church to lose his focus and become more concerned about building their own popularity and personal following than in actually serving the Lord. Certainly we need to be doing what God wants us to do but our focus should be on being what God wants us to become. Someone has said that we can do without being but we can never be without doing.
It is in this kind of committed service that we find true joy. Jesus said it is more blessed to give than to receive and there is no place that this is more true than in the way we spend our time and energy. When we seek the pleasures and things of this world we only whet our desire for more instead of finding satisfaction. But when we serve God we find true peace and joy in Jesus Christ.
Lord God, ruler of heaven and earth, I thank you that you are in complete control of all things. This world seems to be in chaos and especially the morality of this nation. I pray for our leaders that they will see the folly of their ways and know that you are always right. Please be with the people of this country as we face an election year and give your wisdom to each one to vote based on your priorities instead of those of this world. I pray for your church that it may grow and bring glory to you. Use me to do your will. I pray in the name of Jesus.
--Robert
