Daily Devotionals
Daily Devotional: Psalms 78:17-22
Ps 78:17-22
17 But they continued to sin against him, rebelling in the desert against the Most High. 18 They willfully put God to the test by demanding the food they craved. 19 They spoke against God, saying, “Can God spread a table in the desert? 20 When he struck the rock, water gushed out, and streams flowed abundantly. But can he also give us food? Can he supply meat for his people?” 21 When the LORD heard them, he was very angry; his fire broke out against Jacob, and his wrath rose against Israel, 22 for they did not believe in God or trust in his deliverance.
Acts 7:38-41
38 He [Moses] was in the assembly in the desert, with the angel who spoke to him on Mount Sinai, and with our fathers; and he received living words to pass on to us. 39 “But our fathers refused to obey him. Instead, they rejected him and in their hearts turned back to Egypt. 40 They told Aaron, ‘Make us gods who will go before us. As for this fellow Moses who led us out of Egypt-we don't know what has happened to him!’
It is so easy for us as believers with all of the information we have from both the Old Testament and the New Testament to proudly say we would never have been like the Israelites of old. “If we had seen his miracles or if we had been satisfied with the water from a rock, we would have been true to him and completely trusted him as our God.” But would we have done any better than they?
We have a much greater Savior, a better covenant with better promises and all explained to us in much clearer terms; yet are we any more faithful to him? We build magnificent church buildings and devise all kinds of programs in our pursuit of making our religion meaningful. But do these make us closer to God or help us rely on his providence in our lives? Do these external things in which we put our trust make us more like Jesus or restrain our fleshly indulgences?
True religion is tending to the helpless. Disciples of Jesus are known by their love for each other. When we serve others we are serving our Lord. A heart of mercy and forgiveness yields mercy and forgiveness from our Savior. A condemning and proud attitude brings judgment on ourselves. Trusting worship offered in spirit and in truth is acceptable and pleasing to God.
O God, my heavenly Father, I am so thankful that you have sent your Son to die for my sin. Give me greater faith, heavenly wisdom and the power of your Spirit to help me live for him and to show forth your glory. I know my light is small in this dark world of sin but it can be powerful as it reflects your love. Forgive me when I fail to be all you want me to be. Help me never think too highly of myself but to remember that I am what I am by your grace. Give your strength and peace to those who are struggling to serve you. I pray in the name of Jesus.
Robert
