Daily Devotionals
Daily Devotional: Psalms 129:1-8
Psalms 129:1-8
1 They have greatly oppressed me from my youth--let Israel say--2 they have greatly oppressed me from my youth, but they have not gained the victory over me. 3 Plowmen have plowed my back and made their furrows long. 4 But the LORD is righteous; he has cut me free from the cords of the wicked. 5 May all who hate Zion be turned back in shame. 6 May they be like grass on the roof, which withers before it can grow; 7 with it the reaper cannot fill his hands, nor the one who gathers fill his arms. 8 May those who pass by not say, “The blessing of the LORD be upon you; we bless you in the name of the LORD.”
The Lord will bless his people. When we trust in God and put our faith in Jesus, we have made the first step to a better life. One of the first things he told Israel when they became a nation was to trust him and obey him. They so often trusted in themselves and their own wisdom instead of trusting God. When they could not readily see the solution to a problem, they would fret and despair and turn to other gods to save them. But in the same promise God gave his people to bless them, he also promised to bring a curse on them if they did not trust him and put him and his commandments first in all things.
When we put that faith into action, we will do all we can to obey him. Obedience to God includes what we do as a group (church) but also includes what we do as individuals. Our desire to be like God will lead us to study his word more diligently. Our thirst for fellowship with him will compel us to spend more time in prayer. His love overflowing in our hearts will cause us to be kind, compassionate and forgiving to those around us. The more we become like him, the more we will see him reflected in our lives and the more we will recognize his blessings on a daily basis. God is good and always keeps his word.
We praise God from whom all blessings flow. While things are different in other places, the area where I live is being blessed with abundant crops this year. There is new industry locating here while existing business seem to be doing well. We enjoy many opportunities to better ourselves physically. It is God who makes this possible and we praise him and glorify his name. Praise the Lord!
Thank you God for you promises and thank you for keeping your word. Even more than the many physical blessings I enjoy every day, I thank you for the spiritual blessings you shower on me. Thank you for your word that shows me how to become more like you. Thank you for your Spirit who empowers me to be able to change and to grow spiritually. Help me never grow lax or complacent in my life and in my heart but to always seek to be all you want me to be. Help me open my heart to be used according to your will. I pray in the name of Jesus.
--Robert