Daily Devotionals
Daily Devotional: Psalms 81:1-7
Ps 81:1-7
1 Sing for joy to God our strength; shout aloud to the God of Jacob! 2 Begin the music, strike the tambourine, play the melodious harp and lyre. 3 Sound the ram's horn at the New Moon, and when the moon is full, on the day of our Feast; 4 this is a decree for Israel, an ordinance of the God of Jacob. 5 He established it as a statute for Joseph when he went out against Egypt, where we heard a language we did not understand. 6 He says, "I removed the burden from their shoulders; their hands were set free from the basket. 7 In your distress you called and I rescued you, I answered you out of a thundercloud; I tested you at the waters of Meribah. Selah
James 5:13
13 Is any one of you in trouble? He should pray. Is anyone happy? Let him sing songs of praise.
There is nothing that will lift up our spirits more than rehearsing all that God has done for us and through us. This exercise causes us to realize just how small we really are but how big is our God. It shows our weakness and the power of our God who works in us. It is in this realization that we sing and pray.
Paul and Silas were put in jail for healing a young slave girl and at midnight they were praying, singing and praising God. They could have wallowed in self-pity but instead they were finding reasons to rejoice. They were indeed in trouble but they found reason to praise God and to trust in his power.
We serve the God of heaven and earth and he knows all that we face each day along with our weaknesses and our strengths. He already knows just how much we can stand and is waiting with outstretched hand to take us and help us when we reach our limit. As any loving father, he does not like to see us suffer but he knows that in suffering we grow closer to him and more like him.
So today, let each of us remember that we are what we are by the grace of God and we can do all things through Jesus Christ our Lord. We will find joy and peace in knowing that he lives in us. Are you in trouble? Pray in the assurance that he will hear and answer you. Are you happy? Sing songs of praise.
Heavenly Father, I am so thankful for all you do for me and have done in my life. As I look back over the past, I know that there is no way I can count all of the blessings you have given me. The first and most important thanksgiving is that you have made me your child in Christ Jesus and counted me as righteous by his blood. This alone opens the door to countless other blessings. I am so thankful for a loving family who loves you and seeks to serve you. Help me follow the example of Jesus and be a servant to you and to others. I humbly pray in his name.
Robert
