Daily Devotionals
Daily Devotional: Psalms 89:14-18
Ps. 89:14-18
14 Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne; love and faithfulness go before you. 15 Blessed are those who have learned to acclaim you, who walk in the light of your presence, O LORD. 16 They rejoice in your name all day long; they exult in your righteousness. 17 For you are their glory and strength, and by your favor you exalt our horn. 18 Indeed, our shield belongs to the LORD, our king to the Holy one of Israel.
Rom. 15:12-15
12 And again, Isaiah says, "The Root of Jesse will spring up, one who will arise to rule over the nations; the Gentiles will hope in him." 13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. 14 I myself am convinced, my brothers, that you yourselves are full of goodness, complete in knowledge and competent to instruct one another.
According to the constitution of our great nation, we are endowed by God with the right to pursue happiness. This right does not give us happiness nor does it give us peace of mind or with others. Someone has wisely said that happiness is not a destination but a way of traveling. Jesus is the way that bring happiness.
But along with the happiness that comes from serving him, also comes hope that gives us reason to live and the only true peace to be found in this life. We are told to rejoice in the Lord in all things, even in our suffering and trials. We serve a God of peace who gives us his peace by allowing his Spirit to live in us. We trust him and his word so we can live every day knowing that we will be with him in eternity in his presence and away from all the pain, suffering and problems of this life.
Hope fulfilled is no longer hope but has become reality. But we are not yet what we will be in his glory. Our bodies become diseased and die. Our lives are filled with disappointment, heartaches and pain but in our new glorified bodies there will be none of these. Hope is not just wishful thinking but it is joyful expectation based on truth. John wrote his letter we call 1 John so that we can know that we have eternal life. When God’s love is perfected in us, all fear is taken away.
Heavenly Father I am so thankful for the opportunity to live in this great nation and to enjoy the freedoms you give me. Keep me from being complacent and taking for granted your blessings. Strengthen my faith so I will trust you enough to always be faithful when I have plenty and life is good to me. Thank you for Jesus and your way of salvation in him. Like Paul, I want to do your will in all things but at times I do things I should not or do not do the things I should. Forgive me and help me grow stronger every day. I humbly pray in the name of Jesus.
Robert
