Daily Devotionals
Daily Devotional: Psalms 71:9-15
Ps 71:9-15
9 Do not cast me away when I am old; do not forsake me when my strength is gone. 10 For my enemies speak against me; those who wait to kill me conspire together. 11 They say, "God has forsaken him; pursue him and seize him, for no one will rescue him." 12 Be not far from me, O God; come quickly, O my God, to help me. 13 May my accusers perish in shame; may those who want to harm me
be covered with scorn and disgrace. 14 But as for me, I will always have hope; I will praise you more and more. 15 My mouth will tell of your righteousness, of your salvation all day long, though I know not its measure.
Matt 5:43-48
43 "You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' 44 But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. 46 If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? 47 And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? 48 Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
The more we allow God’s love to grow in us, the more we will help those who are down and out. It may be people of a different social status from ours or it may be people of a different race, culture or national background. We are all on this earth as one people before God. It should be our goal to reach everyone with the good news of Jesus. As we show them the love of Jesus and our genuine concern, we will be better able to share the gospel with them.
Someone has said that the best way to destroy an enemy is to make them our friend. What better way to do this than show them love from the heart. When we take the time to understand their life and what they are going through, we often begin to feel compassion instead of being judgmental. This means we are able to forgive those who have done us wrong, even as God has forgiven us our wrong in Jesus Christ. He is our example of love, compassion, mercy and humility.
Thank you God for sending your Son to this earth to show me how to live and then to die for my sin. Give me greater love for you and for others here on earth. I want to help others serve you by sharing your gospel with them. Give me enough love that I will want to share what you have given me physically, mentally, socially and spiritually. Lord, I am mindful of so many who are trying to live for you in the face of persecutions and hardships. Please increase their faith and deliver them from harm as you see best. I humbly pray in the name of Jesus my Lord.
Robert
