Daily Devotionals
Daily Devotional: Psalms 119:113-120
Ps 119:113-120 Samekh
113 I hate double-minded men, but I love your law. 114 You are my refuge and my shield; I have put my hope in your word. 115 Away from me, you evildoers, that I may keep the commands of my God! 116 Sustain me according to your promise, and I will live; do not let my hopes be dashed. 117 Uphold me, and I will be delivered; I will always have regard for your decrees. 118 You reject all who stray from your decrees, for their deceitfulness is in vain. 119 All the wicked of the earth you discard like dross; therefore I love your statutes. 120 My flesh trembles in fear of you; I stand in awe of your laws.
1 John 2:3-6
3 We know that we have come to know him if we obey his commands. 4 The man who says, "I know him," but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in him. 5 But if anyone obeys his word, God's love is truly made complete in him. This is how we know we are in him: 6 Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did.
We have seen throughout this Psalm that David cherishes the word of God and is determined to live by it. His complete faith is in God to do what is right; both for him and toward his enemies. It is this attitude that is part of the reason he is said to be a man after the heart of God. He was committed and determined to know God, to know his word and to follow his commands in every part of his life.
We need to have that same determination and make that same commitment in our lives today. To know God is to be in a relationship with him through his Son and then to follow his will. It is not enough to know about God or about Jesus. It is with deep respect that we come before God because he is God. While Jesus is said to be our Savior, our brother and our friend, he is also our Lord. He dictates our attitudes, our thinking and our actions in every facet of our lives.
As we walk in him and live for him, we have a continual fountain of cleansing of our sin. In repentance we confess our sins as we are aware of them and we learn from each experience to better live for God. Our goal is absolute perfection and we are to settle for nothing less but not despair when we fail. As God’s love is made complete in us, we have no fear of judgment – he has forgiven us.
O Lord God, I am so thankful for you love and your continual forgiveness. Make me aware of every sin in my life and give me courage to turn from each one and stand for you. Keep me from ever making excuses for not doing your will but help me admit that you are always right and always know what is best for me. I ask your guidance on this country, on our leaders and on our courts. Help us get rid of the hatred and self-will and follow you. I pray in the name of Jesus.
Robert
