Daily Devotionals
Daily Devotional: Psalms 119:169-176
Psalms 119:169-176
Taw
169 May my cry come before you, O LORD; give me understanding according to your word. 170 May my supplication come before you; deliver me according to your promise. 171 May my lips overflow with praise, for you teach me your decrees. 172 May my tongue sing of your word, for all your commands are righteous. 173 May your hand be ready to help me, for I have chosen your precepts. 174 I long for your salvation, O LORD, and your law is my delight. 175 Let me live that I may praise you, and may your laws sustain me. 176 I have strayed like a lost sheep. Seek your servant, for I have not forgotten your commands.
Paul said he was what he was because of the grace of God. He asked the Corinthians what they had that they had not received. It is a stark realization when we come to grips with the fact that we really are nothing special on our own. The only thing that really made any of the Bible characters special in the sight of God was their faith. It was when they emptied themselves of themselves and let God direct them and guide them that they were recognized by God. He will see us in the same way.
Paul told the Galatians that when scripture says that Abraham was counted as righteous by his faith, it was not written for just his sake but for ours also when we trust him. But faith is far more than just a mere acknowledgement that God exists. James tells us that the devils believe in this way and they tremble even at the thought of God. Saving faith is always submissive to the will of God. This is described by Paul when he said he no longer lived but Christ lived in him. Jesus said we are to take up our cross daily as we walk with him. Taking up our cross is explained as denying self and letting God live in us.
The more we know God, the easier this becomes because God is always faithful and will always keep his promises. We may promise something but not be able to keep it. God, who spoke the world and all that is in it into existence, can keep his word. In addition to this, God is love and always wants what is best for us. He only instructs us for our wellbeing, both now and in eternity.
O God, I thank you for your love. I praise you for your power and your majesty. I seek to serve you because of your mercy and your grace. I want to be like you because you made me for that purpose. Thank you for your forgiveness, even though it cost you so much in giving your Son. I am so grateful that he was willing to lay down his life and suffer so much so I can have eternal life. Use me to help others know you and to serve you. Give me wisdom to say the right words to build others up and not tear down. I pray in the name of Jesus.
--Robert
