Daily Devotionals
Daily Devotional: Psalms 83:9-18
Ps 83:9-18
9 Do to them as you did to Midian, as you did to Sisera and Jabin at the river Kishon, 10 who perished at Endor and became like refuse on the ground. 11 Make their nobles like Oreb and Zeeb, all their princes like Zebah and Zalmunna, 12 who said, "Let us take possession of the pasturelands of God." 13 Make them like tumbleweed, O my God, like chaff before the wind. 14 As fire consumes the forest or a flame sets the mountains ablaze, 15 so pursue them with your tempest and terrify them with your storm. 16 Cover their faces with shame so that men will seek your name, O LORD. 17 May they ever be ashamed and dismayed; may they perish in disgrace. 18 Let them know that you, whose name is the LORD--that you alone are the Most High over all the earth.
Acts 5:27-29
27 Having brought the apostles, they made them appear before the Sanhedrin to be questioned by the high priest. 28 "We gave you strict orders not to teach in this name," he said. "Yet you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and are determined to make us guilty of this man's blood." 29 Peter and the other apostles replied: "We must obey God rather than men!
One of the hardest things for us to do in life is to realize that our life is not about us but about God. Even more difficult (after we believe this) is to actually put it into practice. This idea should not come to us as a surprise because the wisest person who ever lived, tried everything to find happiness. His conclusion, after trying pleasure, wealth, worldly accomplishment and power, was that the whole purpose we are here on earth is to fear God and keep his commandments.
Does this mean we are all to go off to a monastery and live in a small group with others who share our belief? No, it does not. What it does mean is that we allow God to control every part of our lives by becoming a Christian and living for Christ. Thus we strive to become the spouse or parent, child or sibling that God would want us to become. As his servant, we seek to conduct business with him in mind and according to his word. So much of what Solomon tried was not wrong in and of itself, but it is not to be our goal or top priority. We live for Jesus.
Heavenly Father, what a blessing to be able to serve you. Keep me from being a hypocrite in my life where I say I am putting you first while all the time, I am doing what I want, what I think and how I want to do it. Use me in your service to help others; materially, physically, emotionally and spiritually. Help me learn to listen more and to talk less, and when I speak to make my words good for building up and seasoned with grace. I humbly pray in the name of Jesus my Lord.
Robert
