Daily Devotionals
Daily Devotional: Psalms 139:7-12
Ps 139:7-12
7 Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? 8 If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. 9 If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, 10 even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast. 11 If I say, "Surely the darkness will hide me and the light become night around me," 12 even the darkness will not be dark to you; the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you.
Phil 4:11-13
11 I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 12 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 13 I can do everything through him who gives me strength.
Most of us have never seen real destitution in our own lives. We may have had some hard times or we may have had to do without some of the things we want but most of us have not had to do without the real necessities of life. Paul wrote these words from a prison and not one we usually envision but rather probably from a primitive dungeon. Yet, he says he is rejoicing and he tells others who read these words to rejoice because we are in the Lord and he is taking care of us and all our needs. In this context, he says the Lord is near so don’t worry.
When we are in our darkest hours and life has crashed in all around us, we can know that the Lord is near. Jesus has been through the same kind of troubles and trials we face and kept entrusting himself to the Father and we can too. Since he understands our pain and suffering, he talks to the Father on our behalf.
But (contrary to much of the popular preaching today) God does not promise to always take away all of our pain, our suffering, our sickness or our trials. What he does promise is to be with us through them and to see us into eternity. When we trust him, he will give us strength to endure and wisdom each day to deal with all we face in our lives. We are never alone, he will never leave us or forsake us.
O Lord God, giver of life and all that I have, I am thankful for your constant care and protection over me. Help me keep my eyes focused on you and on heaven so I don’t let this world and the things around me become my goal in life. Use me to help others and to influence others to serve you and to be faithful to you. Thank you for so many who have helped me live for you and who have been such an encouragement to me. Thank you for Jesus and the forgiveness you have given by his sacrifice for my sin. I pray in his name and to his glory.
Robert
