Daily Devotionals
Daily Devotional: Psalms 74:18-23
Ps 74:18-23
18 Remember how the enemy has mocked you, O LORD, how foolish people have reviled your name. 19 Do not hand over the life of your dove to wild beasts; do not forget the lives of your afflicted people forever. 20 Have regard for your covenant, because haunts of violence fill the dark places of the land. 21 Do not let the oppressed retreat in disgrace; may the poor and needy praise your name. 22 Rise up, O God, and defend your cause; remember how fools mock you all day long. 23 Do not ignore the clamor of your adversaries, the uproar of your enemies, which rises continually.
Phil 1:9-11
9 And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, 10 so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ, 11 filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ-to the glory and praise of God.
Our life is about praising God. We do this best when we submit to him as God and revere his Son as our Lord. There is nothing that brings honor to God more than humble faith that recognizes our weakness and his might. Jesus said we are not to just give lip service but honor him with our actions by doing his will. James says we are not to just hear the word but put it into practice.
Our world is filled with those who show no honor to God as God or to Jesus as the Lord of heaven and earth. This extends from those who deny his existence, those who mock his word and revile those who serve him, all the way to those who casually take his name in vain and flippantly insert OMG in their social media. The name of God is HOLY in all the earth and we are treating him with contempt when we do anything less than honor his name and treat him as holy.
God is our father and Jesus lived as a man but that does not bring either of them to our level in their deity. Even being a man in every way that we are human, Jesus did not sin in any way and this elevates him above any other who has lived on the earth. He willingly gave himself to die for us and for our sin. His defeat in death is overcome by the victory of his resurrection. Jesus is Lord! AMEN!
Heavenly Father, worthy is the Lamb who was slain to receive honor and power and glory. Your holy name is above all names so I ask for wisdom to be careful to never take it in vain or to do anything that would dishonor you. I am so thankful for your church and the much needed encouragement given me from so many others who love you and serve you. Use me to encourage them as well. Give your healing (as you see best) to those who are in constant pain but when that is not your will, give them faith to trust you and strength to deal with it. Forgive me when I fail to be all you want me to be. I pray in the name of Jesus.
Robert
