Daily Devotionals
Daily Devotional: Psalms 82:1-8
Ps. 82:1-8
1 God presides in the great assembly; he gives judgment among the "gods": 2 "How long will you defend the unjust and show partiality to the wicked? Selah 3 Defend the cause of the weak and fatherless; maintain the rights of the poor and oppressed. 4 Rescue the weak and needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked. 5 "They know nothing, they understand nothing. They walk about in darkness; all the foundations of the earth are shaken. 6 "I said, 'You are "gods"; you are all sons of the Most High.' 7 But you will die like mere men; you will fall like every other ruler." 8 Rise up, O God, judge the earth, for all the nations are your inheritance.
Rom. 14:10-12
10 You, then, why do you judge your brother? Or why do you look down on your brother? For we will all stand before God's judgment seat. 11 It is written: "'As surely as I live,' says the Lord, 'every knee will bow before me; every tongue will confess to God.'" 12 So then, each of us will give an account of himself to God.
God is in control. He rules over the nations, putting who he desires in positions of power, in order to carry out his plan. The wonderful thing about this is also what makes it so difficult for us to understand. His plan may be for later today, but it also may be for what he wants to accomplish four hundred years from now. He is not bound by our time and is never faced with an emergency or something he did not know would happen. Add to this his great love and we see he is doing what is best for his children. God doesn’t make mistakes. Our place is to trust him.
But God is not impersonal or uncaring. He cares about our problems that we are facing today and tomorrow. This is why he will never allow us to be tempted beyond what we are able to bear. But this carries with it the assumption that we will trust him and follow his will. When we begin to doubt him, we begin to cut the ties that hold us safe in the arms of Jesus. God is the God of all comforts.
The many gods of this world have no power to help or protect those who follow them. They cannot speak and they cannot even move on their own. Jehovah is the only true God and he is the giver of life and creator of all that exists.
Lord God, I am so thankful that you are a God of compassion. Thank you for the many ways and many times that Jesus showed compassion toward those who were down, sick, hungry and afflicted. Help me have a heart of compassion and love toward others and to never feel hatred or bitterness toward them. Beyond a heart of compassion, use me to do what I can to help others, whether physical, spiritual or emotional. I ask your blessings on those who struggle with emotional problems. Give them your peace and strength. I pray in the name of Jesus.
Robert
