Daily Devotionals
Daily Devotional: Psalms 149:6-9
Ps 149:6-9
6 May the praise of God be in their mouths and a double-edged sword in their hands, 7 to inflict vengeance on the nations and punishment on the peoples, 8 to bind their kings with fetters, their nobles with shackles of iron, 9 to carry out the sentence written against them. This is the glory of all his saints. Praise the LORD.
In the first part of this Psalm, the psalmist is telling what a joy and privilege it is to belong to God and to be a part of his special people. It is from this joy that praise and worship flow. As he continues, he tells what a privilege it is to fight for God and for his people. This battle has nothing to do with personal vengeance but is about fighting for the honor of God. Since God’s people of that day was the physical nation of Israel, it was a physical battle against physical enemies.
Today, it is those who are in Christ that are the special people of God. The nation or kingdom of God is the church that belongs to him. The citizens of this spiritual kingdom are called Christians, saints, believers, children of God and many other names; with each showing a special relationship we hold with God the Father or with Jesus. Since we belong to him, we still are honored to be able to worship him and praise him. It is also our responsibility to fight for him.
Our battle today is not against flesh and blood but is against the spiritual forces of darkness and evil. Jesus told Pilate that his kingdom was not of this world or else his servants would be physically fighting for him. This battle begins in our hearts and minds when we face the temptations that are ever before us. What makes our battles unique is that we each are tempted by different things. What may be my greatest trial may be no temptation to someone else while theirs may not have an effect on me. Yet, at the same time we are told that there is no trial that is not common to mankind in general.
The good news is that Jesus our Lord has been tempted in all points like we are and yet he did not sin. Along with this we are told that we will never be tempted beyond what we are able to bear and with every temptation God will provide a way of escape. This is the victory that overcomes the world, our faith.
O God, thank you for revealing your will and what you have done for mankind so I can have eternal life. Since my faith is based on hearing and knowing your word, help me study it more and have the wisdom to understand it. I offer a special prayer today for those who are hurting in their marriages and other family relationships. Give each a desire to know and do your will and the wisdom to apply it in their lives. Use me to help them in any way possible. Give me strength to be what you want me to be. I pray in the name of Jesus my redeemer.
Robert
