Daily Devotionals
Daily Devotional: Psalms 124:1-8
Ps 124:1-8
1 If the LORD had not been on our side--let Israel say--2 if the LORD had not been on our side when men attacked us, 3 when their anger flared against us, they would have swallowed us alive; 4 the flood would have engulfed us, the torrent would have swept over us, 5 the raging waters would have swept us away. 6 Praise be to the LORD, who has not let us be torn by their teeth. 7 We have escaped like a bird out of the fowler's snare; the snare has been broken, and we have escaped. 8 Our help is in the name of the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth.
John 17:15-21
15 My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. 16 They are not of the world, even as I am not of it. 17 Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth. 18 As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world. 19 For them I sanctify myself, that they too may be truly sanctified. 20 "My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, 21 that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me.
According to the Apostle Paul, the only thing that can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus is us. We can leave God and we can drive a wedge between us but nothing and nobody can do it to us. Even if we do this, he still loves us but we have separated ourselves from the benefits of his love in Jesus.
We are to constantly be thankful and joyful in this world. We will face trouble and trials but even then we hold the hand of our Lord and find the peace that only he can give. He carries us through our grief and he gives us strength to overcome all the devil throws at us. Our help is in the name of the Lord.
Some of the most joyful people I have ever known are ones who had disabling or terminal diseases but trusted in God. They found peace and strength in the midst of their troubles and pain. Jesus set this example for us and it was followed by the early apostles and other Christians. We can do the same as we trust in God.
Dear Lord, I am so thankful for all you have done for me in my life. Thank you for sheltering me in the storms and carrying me through hard times. You have given me so many dear friends who have encouraged me and helped me in more ways than I can explain. Use me to help others. Forgive me when I fail to be all you want me to be. When I look at you and your majesty and I see myself in truth, I know I am so weak and fail so often. Thank you for your continued forgiveness and for lifting me up when I fall. I pray in the name of Jesus my Savior.
Robert
