Daily Devotionals
Daily Devotional: Psalms 65:1-4
Ps 65:1-4
1 Praise awaits you, O God, in Zion; to you our vows will be fulfilled. 2 O you who hear prayer, to you all men will come. 3 When we were overwhelmed by sins, you forgave our transgressions. 4 Blessed are those you choose and bring near to live in your courts! We are filled with the good things of your house, of your holy temple.
Eph 2:1-5
1 As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, 2 in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. 3 All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of the flesh and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature objects of wrath. 4 But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, 5 made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions-it is by grace you have been saved.
The Psalmist is saying that he owes God everything because it is God who made him who he is. It is because of forgiveness that he is allowed to come into the glorious courts of the divine temple of God in heaven. He can actually live in the presence of the eternal God who rules the earth. In his majesty, God still hears the prayers of those who serve him and comes to their aid when in need. Thus God deserves his praise, both in songs and in his devotion of life.
Since we all were once dead in sin, helpless and hopeless on our own but now have been forgiven by the blood of Jesus, we owe God all we are today. As his children we come to him in prayer and know he hears us and answers our needs according to his divine will. None of our cares are too small to merit his attention or too large that he cannot take care of them.
God deserves our praise and our worship as we honor him both in songs and in the way we live our lives for him. It is by grace that we live in his courts and have him live in us. We are to be anxious for nothing but pray about all things because the Lord is near and his indescribable peace will fill our hearts in Christ Jesus.
Lord God, as I consider the men and women of faith revealed in your word, I have to wonder if I am as truly committed to serving you as I should be. I see my life and feel so weak and useless when compared to men like Paul. I know you can use me in my own place and in your own way. Increase my faith, give me greater commitment and more self-control to become more like you every day. Thank you for being compassionate and forgiving toward me. Help me show compassion and forgiveness toward others. I pray in the name of Jesus my Lord.
Robert
