Daily Devotionals
Daily Devotional: Psalms 80:12-15
Ps 80:12-15
12 Why have you broken down its walls so that all who pass by pick its grapes? 13 Boars from the forest ravage it and the creatures of the field feed on it. 14 Return to us, O God Almighty! Look down from heaven and see! Watch over this vine, 15 the root your right hand has planted, the son you have raised up for yourself.
John 6:66-69
66 From this time many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him. 67 “You do not want to leave too, do you?" Jesus asked the twelve. 68 Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. 69 We believe and know that you are the Holy one of God.”
Instead of dwelling on why things are happening in our lives, we need to consider where we are going to turn to find relief. The psalmist clearly turned to God to find help in time of need and we too must turn to him in Jesus Christ. There is nothing wrong with asking why and examining our lives to be sure we are in accord with the will of God but we must not assume that just because we are having problems that we doing something wrong.
When Jesus spoke words that were hard to understand or difficult to accept, the crowds began to turn away and leave him. Peter declared that the disciples would stay with him because he alone had the words that lead to eternal life. We too need to take our eyes above the things of this world and focus on Jesus and on eternal life. We will face many difficulties, trials and temptations in this life but all of this is just preparing us for life eternal.
We also need to remember that one of the main reason God gives us wisdom to overcome, strength to prevail and comfort in our distress is so that we will be better suited to help others in their times of need. We are not to use these things totally for ourselves or absorb them so they go no further. We can be that source of wisdom, strength and comfort to others as we reflect what God has done in our lives. As we open our hearts and lives to God, he uses us to become a channel of blessing to all those around us who are struggling and in need.
Heavenly Father, God of the universe, I am so thankful for your help, your comfort and your strength that you have so freely given me so many times. Thank you for putting others in my life who reflect you and your blessings to them. Use me to in your will to help others also. Keep me from being focused on this life and help me stay tuned in to you and eternity. While I can never understand or fathom your greatness or your majesty, I am in awe that I can talk with you and know your hear me. As I go to work each day or do chores around the house or enjoy entertainment, help me remember these are not the reason for my life but are given by you for my good and enjoyment. I pray in the name of Jesus.
Robert
