Daily Devotionals
Daily Devotional: Psalms 59:11-17
Ps 59:11-17
11 But do not kill them, O Lord our shield, or my people will forget. In your might make them wander about, and bring them down. 12 For the sins of their mouths, for the words of their lips, let them be caught in their pride. For the curses and lies they utter, 13 consume them in wrath, consume them till they are no more. Then it will be known to the ends of the earth that God rules over Jacob. Selah 14 They return at evening, snarling like dogs, and prowl about the city. 15 They wander about for food and howl if not satisfied. 16 But I will sing of your strength, in the morning I will sing of your love; for you are my fortress, my refuge in times of trouble. 17 O my Strength, I sing praise to you; you, O God, are my fortress, my loving God.
Luke 23:33-34
33 When they came to the place called the Skull, there they crucified him, along with the criminals-one on his right, the other on his left. 34 Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing." And they divided up his clothes by casting lots.
Jesus had taught his disciples that they should forgive those who sinned against them. In teaching them to pray, he told them they would not receive forgiveness unless they were willing to forgive. When Peter questioned this concept and asked how many times he was to forgive – even up to seven times, Jesus said it was not just seven but seven times seventy. For a people who were accustomed to vengeance and getting even, this was really a radical teaching.
We live today in this country in a culture that is consumed with our rights and getting back at others. Many seem to think that their rights are all that matter without any regard for the rights of others. For a society to function at its best, the teaching of Jesus that we put others ahead of self must be a basic core of our values. When we treat others as we want to be treated and are willing to forgive, even when the one doing wrong doesn’t admit having done anything, we find true peace and happiness. Revenge, bitterness and hatred destroy us.
O God, Creator of all things, I thank you for your love and the forgiveness you give in Jesus Christ and his sacrifice on the cross. Thank you for his example of love and forgiveness. Help me treat others as I want to be treated and in so doing let me bring glory to you and your name. Help me be more determined to know your will and to take the time to study more. Give me your wisdom and more self-control to be able to apply it in my life. Use me to encourage those who are sick, who are hurting and struggling to live for you. Help me in my small part of the world to be your light to the lost. I pray in the name of Jesus.
Robert
