Daily Devotionals
Daily Devotional: Psalms 40:14-17
Ps 40:14-17
14 May all who seek to take my life be put to shame and confusion; may all who desire my ruin be turned back in disgrace. 15 May those who say to me, "Aha! Aha!" be appalled at their own shame. 16 But may all who seek you rejoice and be glad in you; may those who love your salvation always say, "The LORD be exalted!" 17 Yet I am poor and needy; may the Lord think of me. You are my help and my deliverer; O my God, do not delay.
Eph 3:20-21
20 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.
One of the harder lessons to learn and even harder to apply in our lives is that this life is not about us, it is about bringing glory to God. Jesus said we are to let our lights shine so that others will see our good works and glorify the Father who is in heaven. In the Ephesian text above, we face the troubles we face in life and God delivers us (even beyond our imagination) and the glory goes to him and to Jesus Christ in whom we live. When Paul returned from his preaching tour, he told the church at Antioch all that God had done among the Gentiles through him.
This is why we read that when Paul became a Christian, he said that he no longer lived but Christ lived in him and he lived by faith in Christ Jesus. This is no surprise because we are told that when we rise from being buried with Christ in baptism, we are a new creation – a new person in him. So as we reflect the Son, others see Jesus living in us and this brings glory to him and to the Father.
There is nothing we can do to show our faith in God any more than trusting him in times of trials and being faithful to him when things are going our way. For some the greatest temptation to become unfaithful is when things are going well for them and life is easy and prosperous. It is so easy to let this convince us that we must really be doing the will of God and all is well. But we are warned that when we think we are standing, we must really be careful or we will fall.
My Father who is in heaven, holy and mighty is your name in all the earth. There are those who deny you and turn their backs on Jesus but I know you have said they will confess him as Lord one day. Give me wisdom and strength to live in such a way that I will confess Jesus as Lord by my life every day and thus bring glory to him and to you. Help me lead some soul to you by my life. Lord, we face a crucial time in our nation and I pray that you will give us leaders that honor you and have respect for you and your word; who will promote your love to heal the wounds and divisions that are so rampant. I pray in the name of Jesus.
Robert
