Daily Devotionals
Daily Devotional: Psalms 25:8-15
Ps 25:8-15
8 Good and upright is the LORD; therefore he instructs sinners in his ways. 9 He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them his way. 10 All the ways of the LORD are loving and faithful for those who keep the demands of his covenant. 11 For the sake of your name, O LORD, forgive my iniquity, though it is great. 12 Who, then, is the man that fears the LORD? He will instruct him in the way chosen for him. 13 He will spend his days in prosperity, and his descendants will inherit the land. 14 The LORD confides in those who fear him; he makes his covenant known to them. 15 My eyes are ever on the LORD, for only he will release my feet from the snare.
James 4:7-10
7 Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. 9 Grieve, mourn and wail. Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom. 10 Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.
God has not given us a microwave religion. In our fast food society, we want to “zap” it a few seconds and it is supposed to be done. This spills over into all of our lives so much that we want just a short devotional and that is supposed to replace our Bible study. We want a few minutes of worship service and that should take the place of devotion and service to God. We somehow think that we can just say the right words and the devil will leave us alone and we will be free from all of our temptations and all will be well with us.
To draw near to God we must listen to his word. To listen (to anyone) always takes time and effort on our part. We have to rid ourselves of ourselves and open our minds and hearts to what is being said. We can’t hear the meaning of words while trying to think of a rebuttal. This is why James says we are to be slow to speak and quick to hear. For us to draw near to God we will have to spend time studying his word, time in mediation (so it can really soak in) and then time in prayer so we will be able to apply it in our lives.
Heavenly Father, give me a greater desire to know your will. Help me manage my time better so I will use more of it to study and meditate on your word. Give me the wisdom I need to be able to know how to apply what I learn and then the self-control to do so. Help me be the right kind of example for others so they will see Jesus living in me and bring glory to you. Keep me from being complacent and taking things for granted in my life. Be with those who are in other countries and serving you under very difficult circumstances. I pray in the name of Jesus.
Robert
