Daily Devotionals
Daily Devotional: Psalms 28:1-5
Ps 28:1-5
1 To you I call, O LORD my Rock; do not turn a deaf ear to me. For if you remain silent, I will be like those who have gone down to the pit. 2 Hear my cry for mercy as I call to you for help, as I lift up my hands toward your Most Holy Place. 3 Do not drag me away with the wicked, with those who do evil, who speak cordially with their neighbors but harbor malice in their hearts. 4 Repay them for their deeds and for their evil work; repay them for what their hands have done and bring back upon them what they deserve. 5 Since they show no regard for the works of the LORD and what his hands have done, he will tear them down and never build them up again.
Eph 4:30-32
30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. 32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
In the Proverbs we are often reminded of those who would pretend to be our friends but in reality they are not. It may be they speak flattering words to us or they are always present in our lives but they are actually seeking only what is good for them or seeking to gain an advantage over us.
Hypocrisy is in every part of our lives; in the civil government, in business and in religion. This is nothing new. Jesus warned his disciples often of the hypocrisy of the Pharisees and other religious leaders of his day. He taught against dishonesty in business and condemned government officials who were unfair. Knowing this, we must exercise caution that we not allow it to become a part of our thinking and our lives. This is one of those things that “slips” in on us.
The remedy is that we allow the Holy Spirit of God to work in us continually and not squelch his fire. This happens when we follow the teaching of Jesus and “seek first his kingdom and his righteousness” as the basis of our daily lives.
Lord God, it is truly a blessing to be able to talk to you and know you will hear my every desire. Thank you for all you do for me every day. Give me wisdom and strength to control my heart and my motives and be honest and pure in all things. Help me always treat others the way I want to be treated; to love as I want to be loved and to forgive as I want to be forgiven. Help me leave the past behind and in your strength, move forward toward you each day. Thank you for giving us the freedoms we enjoy in this country. Please be with those in other places that do not have these and give them your peace and your strength to be faithful. Use me to encourage others as they serve you. I pray in the name of Jesus.
Robert
