Daily Devotionals
Daily Devotional: Psalms 31:6-8
Ps 31:6-8
6 I hate those who cling to worthless idols; I trust in the LORD. 7 I will be glad and rejoice in your love, for you saw my affliction and knew the anguish of my soul. 8 You have not handed me over to the enemy but have set my feet in a spacious place.
Col 3:1-4
1 Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. 3 For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.
When we are faced with earthly enemies or hard times, it is wonderful to know that God will be with us and deliver us. How much greater it is to know that we have been delivered from sin and to live with the assurance that we have the victory over both sin and death in Jesus Christ.
It is so easy for us to get bogged down in the things of this world because this is where we are and live each day. No matter how spiritual we become in our minds and attitudes, we still have to eat and breathe. Unless we become a total recluse, we still have to associate with other people who are not spiritual. Because of this we still face the daily trials of sin, hardship, self-control and even affluence. Living with our minds above and our hearts on Christ is not always easy.
We also face the temptation to see ourselves as truly spiritual and then looking down on others in contempt or just feeling sorry for them because they have not “arrived” at our level of spirituality. Many of the Pharisees fell into this trap during the time Jesus was on the earth. It is only by being constantly reminded that we are only right with God because he has forgiven us and not our own righteousness that can prevent this from happening. Like Paul, we are what we are by the grace of God and not our own doing.
Heavenly Father, thank you for this new day you have given me. Thank you for the air I breathe and the ability to carry on the affairs of another day. Give me a pure heart; a disposition of love and the peace that only comes from you. Use me in your will to be an encouragement to others who are seeking to serve you. Give me true compassion toward those who are struggling and keep me from ever thinking I am better than them. I ask a special blessing on your people in every part of the world and especially those who serve you with a constant threat of persecution or even death. Thank you for the freedoms I have in this country and I pray that I will use them to your glory. I pray in the name of Jesus.
Robert
