Daily Devotionals
Daily Devotional: Psalms 56:5-8
Ps 56:5-8
5 All day long they twist my words; they are always plotting to harm me. 6 They conspire, they lurk, they watch my steps, eager to take my life. 7 On no account let them escape; in your anger, O God, bring down the nations. 8 Record my lament; list my tears on your scroll--are they not in your record?
Matt 5:10-12
10 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 "Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. 12 Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
We live in a society that says it is acceptable to put a “spin” on things that we do not like to hear, especially if that message is something bad about us. Politicians have lied so much over the years that we expect it from them and no one seems to be concerned when false accusations are made. But truth is truth and a false witness is a false witness. Telling a lie is not acceptable to God, even if it is just what we call being politically correct or being non-offensive. But the world has always lied because the world serves the devil and he is the father of all lies. He is the great deceiver.
As the children of God, we are not to be like the devil or follow his ways. When we become a Christian we are to give up lying and be honest with each other. Jesus said that one who is faithful in small things will be faithful in big things and one who will tell a “small” lie, will tell a “big” one if it is beneficial to them to do so. God hears our words. In fact, Jesus said it is by our words that we would be justified and by our words we will be condemned. We are told not to bear false witness against our neighbor. We are told not to gossip and slander.
Let us live in such a way that when false things are said about us, those who know us will not believe them anyway. These things may hurt but God hears and he sees our tears and in his time and in his way he will avenge all wrong.
O Lord, my Lord, God of heaven and earth, I come to you humbly recognizing just how small I am and how my life is so insignificant in comparison to what some have done that are considered as great. Even more than this, when I see how small and limited I am compared to you, to Jesus your Son and to your eternal Spirit, I realize that it is only by your grace I can come to you in prayer. Help me keep my heart pure and use my life as a blessing to others so I will encourage them and lift them up. Give me words of wisdom when I speak and keep my mouth silent when that is best. I pray in the name of Jesus.
Robert
