Daily Devotionals
Daily Devotional: Psalms 89:38-45
Ps. 89:38-45
38 But you have rejected, you have spurned, you have been very angry with your anointed one. 39 You have renounced the covenant with your servant and have defiled his crown in the dust. 40 You have broken through all his walls and reduced his strongholds to ruins. 41 All who pass by have plundered him; he has become the scorn of his neighbors. 42 You have exalted the right hand of his foes; you have made all his enemies rejoice. 43 You have turned back the edge of his sword and have not supported him in battle. 44 You have put an end to his splendor and cast his throne to the ground. 45 You have cut short the days of his youth; you have covered him with a mantle of shame. Selah
1 Peter 1:6-8
6 In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. 7 These have come so that your faith-of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire-may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.
Since we cannot physically see God, it is only natural that we feel deserted by him at times. We are not able to know what is on his mind, what his plans are for us or how he is going to use us in his service. During times of trouble it is easy to begin to doubt his love or care for us so we wonder and even ask: why would a loving God let (this) happen to me? David felt all alone. Job begged to see God.
God has not left us alone! His love for us never changes, even when we turn from him and fail to trust or obey him. As a father who disinherits his children because of their behavior, God may at times leave us to our own devices and let us reap the consequences. But as the father was waiting for the prodigal son to return, so our Father is waiting and longing for his erring child to come home.
What can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord? Nothing on earth, under the earth or in heaven above can take us out of his hand. The thing that puts us into Jesus is when we trust him in obedience to his gospel. The only thing that can separate us is when we turn from him to follow our own devices or serve the gods of this world. We have free will and it is our choice.
Mighty God, creator of the earth and the heavens above, I recognize that nothing is too big for you to accomplish or too small for you to care so I humbly come to you for greater faith, wisdom and more self-control. As I allow your Spirit to work in me and change me from within, help me be patient but determined to be like you. Lord, there is so much evil, hatred and turmoil all around me so I need your constant help to not allow it to influence my thinking and my life. I ask your blessings and healing on those who are sick. I pray in the name of Jesus.
Robert
