Daily Devotionals
Daily Devotional: Psalms 61:1-4
Ps 61:1-4
1 Hear my cry, O God; listen to my prayer. 2 From the ends of the earth I call to you, I call as my heart grows faint; lead me to the rock that is higher than I. 3 For you have been my refuge, a strong tower against the foe. 4 I long to dwell in your tent forever and take refuge in the shelter of your wings.
1 Peter 5:6-11
6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. 7 Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. 8 Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 9 Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings. 10 And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. 11 To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen.
What a joy to know that we can turn to God, cry out to him and throw all our burdens on him and he will receive us, hear us and respond to our needs. It is hard for us to fathom the greatness and majesty of God and at the same time realize that he can actually personally love us and care for us. The Psalmist is confident that he can place all his cares on God and he will lift him up. The Lord is his refuge and his strong tower in the battles of life. He is ours too.
Our fight is not a physical battle against flesh and blood but rather we are in a spiritual battle against the forces of evil. We face the devil and his array of trials, temptations and deceptions on a daily basis. Paul proclaimed that he could do all things through Jesus Christ who gave him strength. He also said that God is able to do abundantly beyond all we can ask or think through the power of his Spirit living in us. We are strong in him when we are weak in ourselves. Whatever we face in life, whatever temptations or trials, we can turn to God and live in total confidence that we will overcome in his mighty power. God is our strength.
O God, my mighty but loving Father, I thank you for your constant care for me in every situation I face. Give me greater faith to trust you more and to be both able and willing to turn over my cares to you and then leave them with you. Help me not be obsessed or overcome with the evil in our world but to hold your hand and take one step at a time in your will to be what you want me to be. Also let others see Jesus living in me so your name will be glorified. Forgive me when I fail to live up to your glory in all things. Give me a heart of love, compassion and kindness so I will be forgiving as you have forgiven me. I pray in the name of Jesus.
Robert
