Daily Devotionals
Daily Devotional: Psalms 34:8-14
Ps 34:8-14
8 Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him. 9 Fear the LORD, you his saints, for those who fear him lack nothing. 10 The lions may grow weak and hungry, but those who seek the LORD lack no good thing. 11 Come, my children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the LORD. 12 Whoever of you loves life and desires to see many good days, 13 keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking lies. 14 Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.
1 Peter 3:8-10
8 Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble. 9 Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.
When we use the word “religion” or we talk about serving God, most people will think of a church building or an organized religious setting. While the church as described in the Bible is important (it was built by Jesus!) and our work and worship together is important (it is commanded by God), the heart of religion and serving God is what is seen in our personal lives. True religion is about being kind, merciful, compassionate, and filled with the love of God. It is measured by and seen in how much we are willing to give, to serve and to help others.
Far too many people (like the Pharisees in the days of Jesus) seem to think they can separate their religion from their everyday personal lives. Our devotion to God (what the Psalmist calls “the fear of the Lord”) is seen in the way we talk; in what we say, how we say it and the truthfulness of it. Jesus said our words come from what is in our hearts. John tells us that to demonstrate our love for God we must love our brothers and sisters. He is not talking just about our physical siblings or even just our spiritual brothers and sisters but includes all of mankind with whom we come in contact. This is why the verses that follow our reading from Peter (not included in this devotional) are a quotation of the last few verses in our Psalm above. To serve God requires genuine heartfelt humility.
Our Father who is in heaven, holy and reverend is your name. The beauty of the spring shows forth your glory. The waves of the ocean show your majesty. The power of the storms reveals your infinite ability to control all things. As I seek to become like you and like Jesus, help me open my heart to your Spirit and his work in my life so I will be able to love others as you love me. Thank you for your grace and your forgiveness in the sacrifice of Jesus. Give me greater faith. Thank you for the opportunity to talk with you in the name of Jesus, your Son.
Robert
