Daily Devotionals
Daily Devotional: Psalms 72:8-14
Ps 72:8-14
8 He will rule from sea to sea and from the River to the ends of the earth. 9 The desert tribes will bow before him and his enemies will lick the dust. 10 The kings of Tarshish and of distant shores will bring tribute to him; the kings of Sheba and Seba will present him gifts. 11 All kings will bow down to him and all nations will serve him. 12 For he will deliver the needy who cry out, the afflicted who have no one to help. 13 He will take pity on the weak and the needy and save the needy from death. 14 He will rescue them from oppression and violence, for precious is their blood in his sight.
Col 3:12-14
12 Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13 Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
Being religious is good and being devout in keeping all the laws of God is truly wonderful, but what God really wants is a heart that is like his. This is why we are told to put away malice, hatred, deceit and gossip. In its place we allow the Spirit of God to grow in us his fruit of love, joy, peace, patience and self-control.
We live in a world of turmoil and strife. There is not a day goes by that we can’t see on the news killings and fighting. Fueled by self-indulgence and greed, for many this is an acceptable way of life and considered normal. The more people look to themselves and turn away from God, the more the strife will escalate.
We serve a God of peace and that peace is found in our love for him and for each other. Jesus left us an example of humility that says we are to not look out just for our own personal interests but also for the interests of others. We are also to consider others better than ourselves. When we have this attitude, we will treat others the way we would like to be treated – with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience, loving and forgiving each other – no matter who they are, where they come from or how they may have treated us. Our God is love.
O God of love and compassion, you are abundant in longsuffering and mercy and I praise you and thank you. I know I don’t deserve to be loved by you and forgiven by you, and yet, you offer it to me freely. Help me to allow your Spirit to grow his fruit in my heart and in my life so others will see Jesus in me. Give me faith to love others as you love me and to leave judgment up to you. I ask you to be with our leaders in the world, so they can know the peace that only comes from you and your wisdom. I humbly pray in the name of Jesus, my Lord and King.
Robert
