Daily Devotionals
Daily Devotional: Psalms 119:129-136
Ps 119:129-136 Pe
129 Your statutes are wonderful; therefore I obey them. 130 The unfolding of your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple. 131 I open my mouth and pant, longing for your commands. 132 Turn to me and have mercy on me, as you always do to those who love your name. 133 Direct my footsteps according to your word; let no sin rule over me. 134 Redeem me from the oppression of men, that I may obey your precepts. 135 Make your face shine upon your servant and teach me your decrees. 136 Streams of tears flow from my eyes, for your law is not obeyed.
Heb 11:39-12:2
39 These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised. 40 God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect. 12:1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. 2 Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
The Psalmist pleads that no sin will rule over him. We are likewise urged to get rid of the sin that so easily entangles or ensnares us. It is so easy to be caught up in the web and deceit of sin. As the insect get caught in the web of the spider and cannot escape, so sin holds us. The big difference is that God does provide a way of escape for us. Whether we fly headlong into the web or we little by little move into it, the snare is real and the escape seems impossible but God provides both the way out and the strength to do so. It is for this reason that James urges us to pray for wisdom and to allow God to work in us.
One of the ways that James tells us that we can escape sin is to allow the word of God to be implanted in us. He then goes on to say it is not enough to just hear the word but we must put it into practice. In this context he explains that faith alone will not save us but it must be an active faith that prompts obedience.
Heavenly Father, thank you for revealing your will to us in your word. Thank you for your saving grace shown to us in your gospel. I thank you for not leaving me alone in this world to fight against evil and sin but empowering me and giving me wisdom to overcome the evil one by faith in Jesus Christ. As Paul said, I know I have not overcome or been made perfect yet but I pray that each day will bring me closer to you and I will be more like Jesus. Be with those who rule over us and give us peace. Help me love as you love me. I pray in the name of Jesus.
Robert
