Daily Devotionals
Daily Devotional: Psalms 28:1-5
Ps 28:1-5
1 To you I call, O LORD my Rock; do not turn a deaf ear to me. For if you remain silent, I will be like those who have gone down to the pit. 2 Hear my cry for mercy as I call to you for help, as I lift up my hands toward your Most Holy Place. 3 Do not drag me away with the wicked, with those who do evil, who speak cordially with their neighbors but harbor malice in their hearts. 4 Repay them for their deeds and for their evil work; repay them for what their hands have done and bring back upon them what they deserve. 5 Since they show no regard for the works of the LORD and what his hands have done, he will tear them down and never build them up again.
Matt 9:10-13
10 While Jesus was having dinner at Matthew's house, many tax collectors and "sinners" came and ate with him and his disciples. 11 When the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, "Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and 'sinners'?" 12 On hearing this, Jesus said, "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. 13 But go and learn what this means: 'I desire mercy, not sacrifice.' For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners."
Eph 2:4-5
4 But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, 5 made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions-it is by grace you have been saved.
One of the things that separates Christianity from all other religions in the world is the love of God for his creation. Not a self-serving love but love that invokes his mercy toward us and extends his grace to us. The other world religions, from the most pagan witch doctors to the most sophisticated theologies, deify gods that must be pleased and rewards that must be earned. Their subjects live in constant fear of being punished for failing to please “the gods”.
Our Father loves us, even when we are fighting against him and has mercy on us when we are his enemies. This is best seen in Jesus as he hung on the cross, being crucified by the ungodly and the religious hypocrites, and prayed that the Father would forgive them because they didn’t know what they were doing. This is love!
Heavenly Father, teach me to love as you love me. Show me how to have mercy for others as you have shown mercy to me. Help me to grow in your grace. Keep me from ever thinking I am better than others but rather use me to lead them to you by showing your love in all I do and say. Instill in me a heart of forgiveness, even to those who don’t deserve it. Keep me from allowing this world to become my home but help me always keep my eyes on you. In Jesus name I pray.
Robert
