Daily Devotionals
Daily Devotional: Psalms 7:10-13
Ps 7:10-13
10 My shield is God Most High, who saves the upright in heart. 11 God is a righteous judge, a God who expresses his wrath every day. 12 If he does not relent, he will sharpen his sword; he will bend and string his bow. 13 He has prepared his deadly weapons; he makes ready his flaming arrows.
Rom 3:22b-26
There is no difference, 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. 25 God presented him as a sacrifice of atonement, through faith in his blood. He did this to demonstrate his justice, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished- 26 he did it to demonstrate his justice at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus.
When we read this section of Psalm, we realize that the righteousness and the justice of God is not something that is soothing or comforting. The wages of sin is death – this is a stark reality that is a necessity for a righteous and just God! It is this justice that requires his grace in order for us to have eternal life. Our sin must be punished by death and it was. It was Jesus who died for our sin so that we might have the gift of God [which] is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
I have just completed a capsule series of sermons on the History of God’s people. We began with God’s people in the Old Testament, then moved to the church in the New Testament. From there we covered the formation of the Catholic Church and the following reformation movement. The last lesson was directed toward the evolution of the churches of Christ and the Christians churches as we know them today. (These are available on our website below.)
I mention these because the one thing that stood out through it all was that to please God, we must listen to him and follow his will. It is amazing (but not surprising) how so many could study the Bible and reach the same conclusions, even though they were separated by years, miles and even continents. Jesus plead for unity among his disciples and this only comes from following his Word.
Heavenly Father, give me a greater desire to know your word, wisdom to understand it and strength to live it. Forgive me when I fail. Fill me with your Spirit so I can love others as you love me. Help me never forget that knowing truth has no value unless I live it and share it in love. Use me to help others to know you better and to be stronger in their faith. Lord, I ask a special prayer for our country and for the upcoming elections this year. In your providence, give us leaders who have respect for you and your word. I pray in the name of Jesus.
Robert
