Daily Devotionals
Daily Devotional: Psalms 103:7-12
Ps 103:7-12
7 He made known his ways to Moses, his deeds to the people of Israel: 8 The LORD is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love. 9 He will not always accuse, nor will he harbor his anger forever; 10 he does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities. 11 For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him; 12 as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.
Eph 1:13-14
13 And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, 14 who is a deposit, guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God's possession-to the praise of his glory.
So often we dwell on the physical blessing God has given to us. We like to think how he has provided our livelihood and how we are blessed with loving families. We give thanks for the abundance of material things he has supplied. When things go badly for us and we suffer from pain and sickness, we turn to God and he is there for us and gives us healing and comfort. It is always good for us to remember that he will not allow us to be tempted beyond what we are able to bear but gives us grace and strength to deal with what we face.
What is even greater than all of this and makes these things possible is that he has forgiven our sins in Jesus Christ. And when God forgives, he really forgives so that our sin is not remembered again. God is compassionate and merciful and so he has provided a way for us to be with him in eternity. As his children, we are given his Spirit to live in us as a guarantee that we will have that eternal home when we leave this life. It is this assurance that provides our hope.
Because of the abounding love of God, he is not looking for some way to condemn us to hell but has made it possible for us to have the abundant life both now and in eternity. Living in Jesus gives us joy today – a joy that cannot be taken from us and is beyond the ability of those outside of Christ to comprehend.
Thank you heavenly Father for your indescribable love for me. I know I do not deserve to be loved by you or to live with you. I understand that my sin has taken me away from you and broken our ability to have fellowship but I also know that by grace and in Jesus Christ this relationship has been restored. Help me never forget that all I am and all I have is from you and by your grace. I need the power you give by your Spirit living in me both today and every day. Lord, I have family and friends who are sick and suffering and I ask you to be with them and bless them according to your will. I pray in the name of Jesus.
Robert
