Daily Devotionals
Daily Devotional: Psalms 129:1-8
Ps 129:1-8
1They have greatly oppressed me from my youth--let Israel say--2 they have greatly oppressed me from my youth, but they have not gained the victory over me. 3 Plowmen have plowed my back and made their furrows long. 4 But the LORD is righteous; he has cut me free from the cords of the wicked. 5 May all who hate Zion be turned back in shame. 6 May they be like grass on the roof, which withers before it can grow; 7 with it the reaper cannot fill his hands, nor the one who gathers fill his arms. 8 May those who pass by not say, "The blessing of the LORD be upon you; we bless you in the name of the LORD."
Eph 1:19b-23
That power is like the working of his mighty strength, 20 which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, 21 far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. 22 And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, 23 which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.
For most of my life I have heard people bash and belittle the church of God. For many it is seen as an oppressive and outdated organization that needs to be done away. Instead of seeing the importance of the church, the emphasis is put on our relationship with Jesus or with God the Father. Many have said they don’t need the church to be faithful to God. This reasoning shows a lack of understanding of the word of God and is actually an assault on the wisdom of God. Part of the reason for this kind of thinking is that in history the church became an oppressive organization making rules and controlling the thinking of its members.
The church is not to be seen as an organization at all but rather as the body of Christ, the family of God or the temple of God. The church is the collection of all the saved for the purpose of carrying out the will of God on earth. The Psalmist is defending the glory of God in our text as he prays for the glory of Zion, the city of God. So today we must defend the glory of God as we stand for his church.
Heavenly Father, thank you for your wisdom in providing a body of people that builds each other up and reaches out to the lost with your gospel. Help me defend her so your name will be glorified. Today my heart is heavy because of the great losses from Hurricanes Harvey and Irma. I continue to pray for those who are suffering in Texas. I lift up prayers for those in Florida as well. Help me see your great power in the hurricanes themselves but also see your great love as it is being shown by so many as they help each other. I pray in the name of Jesus.
Robert
