Daily Devotionals
Daily Devotional: Psalms 94:12-17
Ps 94:12-17
12 Blessed is the man you discipline, O LORD, the man you teach from your law; 13 you grant him relief from days of trouble, till a pit is dug for the wicked. 14 For the LORD will not reject his people; he will never forsake his inheritance. 15 Judgment will again be founded on righteousness, and all the upright in heart will follow it. 16 Who will rise up for me against the wicked? Who will take a stand for me against evildoers? 17 Unless the LORD had given me help, I would soon have dwelt in the silence of death.
Rom 13:1-5
1 Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. 2 Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. 3 For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and he will commend you.
When we realize that God is the ultimate power and the ultimate authority in all that exists, we better understand that all we have and all we are is from him. He alone can give and he takes away. The reason we are to respect (and to show it) for those in authority is because God put them there. Who are we to question why he has done what he has done? When we degrade or belittle one in a position of authority we are rebelling against God instead of showing respect for him and his delegated authority. This begins with parents in the home and it includes teachers in school as well as law enforcement and elected officials from the lowest to the highest in our county, city or federal government.
This same God who controls the world governments also controls what we know as the forces of nature. Nothing is beyond his power and his authority. But he also knows each of us and he knows our problems, our weaknesses, our cares and every pain we feel. So when evil seems to prevail, we can have peace because we know God is in control and he will see us through whatever we face today.
O God, ruler of all things and giver of all blessings, I am so glad that you love me and you have given me a way to be forgiven of my sin. As I serve Jesus and try to imitate him in my life, help me never forget that you have given him all authority in heaven and on earth. Help me be a submissive servant to him by serving those around me. Give me wisdom to see and use every opportunity to do good. I know you have authority over diseases of every kind and ask for your healing where it conforms to your will. Help me trust you more. I pray in the name of Jesus.
Robert
