Daily Devotionals
Daily Devotional: Psalms 17:6-12
Ps 17:6-12
6 I call on you, O God, for you will answer me; give ear to me and hear my prayer. 7 Show the wonder of your great love, you who save by your right hand those who take refuge in you from their foes. 8 Keep me as the apple of your eye; hide me in the shadow of your wings 9 from the wicked who assail me, from my mortal enemies who surround me. 10 They close up their callous hearts, and their mouths speak with arrogance. 11 They have tracked me down, they now surround me, with eyes alert, to throw me to the ground. 12 They are like a lion hungry for prey, like a great lion crouching in cover.
James 1:2-5
2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. 4 Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. 5 If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.
The Psalmist is crying out to God for help because there were those who wanted to destroy him. While most of us do not have anyone seeking to physically harm us or kill us, we all face various trials in our lives. It may just be that life is not fair and things are not working the way we feel they should. It may be sickness, or other health issues. We may be facing relationship problems, financial difficulties, or the loss of one we love so dearly but all of us face problems.
James does not say “if” but “whenever” we face these things. The question is not why these things happen but what are we going to do with them. When we put our trust in God and allow him to take complete control, we find peace as we go through the storm. We may not know where the boat will land but we can know it will arrive safely when Jesus is our pilot.
As we overcome each trial, we are made stronger. We become more spiritually mature and more ready for the next trial to come. Each time we trust God and see his deliverance, our faith grows. Gradually we become like David who could trust God in any and every situation in life. God is always faithful.
Heavenly Father, holy and sacred is your name in all the earth. I know there are those who do not respect you or serve you but that does not take away your majesty. O God, be with the leaders of our nation. I know they have defamed you and your word in their actions. As a country we do not deserve your blessings but please spare us from your wrath and help us reach the lost that will hear. Guide the elections this year to give us leaders who do respect you and your word and seek your wisdom. I pray in the name of Jesus, the King of Kings.
Robert
