Daily Devotionals
Daily Devotional: Psalms 94:20-23
Ps. 94:20-23
20 Can a corrupt throne be allied with you--one that brings on misery by its decrees? 21 They band together against the righteous and condemn the innocent to death. 22 But the LORD has become my fortress, and my God the rock in whom I take refuge. 23 He will repay them for their sins and destroy them for their wickedness; the LORD our God will destroy them.
1 Peter 2:13-17
13 Submit yourselves for the Lord's sake to every authority instituted among men: whether to the king, as the supreme authority, 14 or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right. 15 For it is God's will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish men. 16 Live as free men, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as servants of God. 17 Show proper respect to everyone: Love the brotherhood of believers, fear God, honor the king.
On the road where I live is a pile of lumber in a field that is hardly even noticeable because it has grown up with weeds and bushes. When I moved into my house, this rotted pile of wood was a house. It was once a new home to someone and a family lived inside its walls. After the people moved out and it was left standing, it began to rot and weaken until one day, part of the roof caved in, then another, until finally the walls collapsed and it crumbled into a heap.
History tells us that many nations have been built and were great in their time; many of them ruling over large parts of the world. Yet, many have been destroyed from within because of their wickedness. This ungodliness usually begins at the top and then infiltrates the masses. One of the traits of all human kind is that no group becomes greater than its leaders. Wickedness destroys nations.
These same principles are true in our homes and in our churches. We see homes and churches hard at work serving God and doing good because they have leaders that are showing them and inspiring them to do so. Others are rotting from within and crumbling because they are not serving God. Jesus said when we listen to him and obey him, we are building on solid rock and our house will stand. Are we?
Heavenly Father, in so many ways I see things I need to be doing or times I need to keep my mouth shut and I fail to be and do what I know you want. At times, it seems the harder I try, the more I fail. Help me trust in you, your strength and your guidance more instead of trying to do it on my own. I need the wisdom that only you can give and I also need the self-control that your Spirit provides. Teach me to love you and love others as you love me. Guide our leaders and our nation to respect and follow your will. I pray in the name of Jesus my King.
Robert
