Daily Devotionals
Daily Devotional: Psalms 45:1-5
Ps 45:1-5
1 My heart is stirred by a noble theme as I recite my verses for the king; my tongue is the pen of a skillful writer. 2 You are the most excellent of men and your lips have been anointed with grace, since God has blessed you forever. 3 Gird your sword upon your side, O mighty one; clothe yourself with splendor and majesty. 4 In your majesty ride forth victoriously in behalf of truth, humility and righteousness; let your right hand display awesome deeds. 5 Let your sharp arrows pierce the hearts of the king's enemies; let the nations fall beneath your feet.
Rev 5:13-6:2
13 Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, singing: "To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honor and glory and power, for ever and ever!" 14 The four living creatures said, "Amen," and the elders fell down and worshiped. 6:1 I watched as the Lamb opened the first of the seven seals. Then I heard one of the four living creatures say in a voice like thunder, "Come!" 2 I looked, and there before me was a white horse! Its rider held a bow, and he was given a crown, and he rode out as a conqueror bent on conquest.
One of the great paradoxes of the Revelation is how Jesus is presented to us as a lion in his might but also as a lamb that has been slain. He is the king in his splendor and on his throne but is the warrior, riding into battle on his horse. But in every situation, he is victorious over his enemies. As the king victorious, he has conquered sin and as the lamb that has been slain, he has destroyed death.
This presentation is not surprising. Paul tells us that the wisdom of God seems to be foolishness to men. How can God be man? If he is God, how can he be killed by men who were made by him and who are subservient to him? But indeed, it is the wisdom of men that is foolishness to God! In his love for all of mankind, Jesus has come as the representation of God in righteousness on our behalf. He has come to be our king but also to be our sacrificial lamb. Jesus allowed himself to be put to death for our sin, but God raised him from the dead for our justification. In him, we who have sinned can be counted as righteous before our God!
O Lord God, thank you for providing me a way of salvation in Jesus Christ. I know there is so much that I cannot understand about you, your nature and your glory, but you have revealed so much to me. Give me wisdom to understand. Help me show forth your glory in my life; in all I do and say. I need the power of your Spirit to be all you want me to become. Use me to serve others with what you have given me, whether it be mental, physical, emotional or spiritual strengths. Help me use every opportunity you give. I pray in the name of Jesus my King.
Robert
