Daily Devotionals
Daily Devotional: Psalms 58:1-5
Ps 58:1-5
1 Do you rulers indeed speak justly? Do you judge uprightly among men? 2 No, in your heart you devise injustice, and your hands mete out violence on the earth. 3 Even from birth the wicked go astray; from the womb they are wayward and speak lies. 4 Their venom is like the venom of a snake, like that of a cobra that has stopped its ears, 5 that will not heed the tune of the charmer, however skillful the enchanter may be.
Luke 11:42
42 "Woe to you Pharisees, because you give God a tenth of your mint, rue and all other kinds of garden herbs, but you neglect justice and the love of God. You should have practiced the latter without leaving the former undone.
The Bible is filled with stories of those who were rulers, teachers, judges and kings who did not practice justice toward others. God has always required that his people treat others with justice but tempered by mercy. Yet, it was common for the Jewish leaders (both political and religious leaders) to be selfish and have no concern for the needs and feelings of others. Sin was allowed to go unchecked and even applauded while the one who sought to be fair, honest, loving and kind was treated as the wrong doer.
Religion (then and now) can never replace a heart that seeks to be like God. This means we follow his will the best we can in our worship and in our service to him as his people. This service comes from a heart of love, mercy and compassion that seeks to help others and to lift up the fallen. A godly attitude requires that we never look down on others or see ourselves as being better than them. We must remember that we are right with God only because he has forgiven us of our sin and not because we are righteous on our own.
In Colossians 3:12-14, Paul says: 12 Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13 Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
Thank you Lord for loving me; thank you for forgiving me and saving me in Jesus Christ. Thank you for your tender mercy and your everlasting compassion that allows me to be your child. As your Spirit lives in me, help me open my heart to him and to his work so I can demonstrate his fruit in my life as I am changed within. I thank you that you devised a plan to meet the demands of your justice in the punishment of sin by the death of your Son. Please extend your mercy to those who are hurting and struggling today. I pray in the name of Jesus.
Robert
