Daily Devotionals
Daily Devotional: Psalms 119:161-168
Psalms 119:161-168
Sin and Shin
161 Rulers persecute me without cause, but my heart trembles at your word. 162 I rejoice in your promise like one who finds great spoil. 163 I hate and abhor falsehood but I love your law. 164 seven times a day I praise you for your righteous laws. 165 Great peace have they who love your law, and nothing can make them stumble. 166 I wait for your salvation, O LORD, and I follow your commands. 167 I obey your statutes, for I love them greatly. 168 I obey your precepts and your statutes, for all my ways are known to you.
There are so many advantages of living for God. When we follow his word we make our lives so much better than those who are living as captives of sin and to the things of this world. What is ironic is that serving God does not always take away our problems, trials, heartaches or hurts but it does give us joy, peace and a calm assurance that the world cannot know. There may be times that serving God actually increases our temporary pain and suffering but along with it comes the grace of God to see us through.
What makes the Christian life so wonderful is knowing that God has forgiven us of all sin and that we can stand in judgment with the knowledge that Satan cannot bring a single accusation against us that will stand. To be sure, we are guilty as charged each time an accusation is made but every sin we have committed will be negated by the blood of Jesus on our behalf.
In addition to our forgiveness we can actually live a life of love. We can love our enemies and free ourselves of the pain of hatred and bitterness. We will be honest with everyone and never have to try to remember what we said on any occasion. We will be free to allow other’s mistakes and shortcomings to be overlooked because we love them with the love of Jesus. We will be free to live a life of total humility because we know that we are not standing in our own might or strength but in the power of God. If we are insulted, we pardon. When we are maligned, we forgive. We just let God know about everything that is going on, with thanksgiving, and we live in his peace, rejoicing always.
O God, my heavenly Father, I thank you for your love, your mercy and your grace shown to me in Jesus my Lord. Thank you for raising him from the grave so I know that I too will be raised. Thank you that he has overcome sin so I can also be free from the power of sin. Increase my faith so I can know your love perfected in me and then love others enough to forgive them. Help me never allow the behavior of others to distract me or cause me to have doubt, hatred or bitterness. Help me use every difficult situation in my life to make me better, stronger and more like you. I praise you and thank you in the name of Jesus.
--Robert
