Daily Devotionals
Daily Devotional: Psalms 102:16-22
Ps. 102:16-22
16 For the LORD will rebuild Zion and appear in his glory. 17 He will respond to the prayer of the destitute; he will not despise their plea. 18 Let this be written for a future generation, that a people not yet created may praise the LORD: 19 "The LORD looked down from his sanctuary on high, from heaven he viewed the earth, 20 to hear the groans of the prisoners and release those condemned to death." 21 So the name of the LORD will be declared in Zion and his praise in Jerusalem 22 when the peoples and the kingdoms assemble to worship the LORD.
Eph. 2:19-22
19 Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God's people and members of God's household, 20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. 21 In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. 22 And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.
The mystery of God was hidden for ages while many prophets and even angels tried to understand it but could not. But now it has been revealed and preached by the apostles and those who have believed because of them. For many ages the only people of God were the Jews but now any person from any nation can become a “spiritual Jew” in Jesus Christ. All are made one in Christ.
The Jewish people were referred to as God’s chosen nation, his children, a Holy nation and many other terms but all of these apply to God’s people today, those in Christ known as Christians. The determining factor is not one’s physical lineage but our willingness to accept the gospel. In Romans we read that the gospel is the power of God to salvation, both to the Jew and the Gentile.
God has made salvation available to everyone who will accept it. But to do this we must first recognize that God is God and that Jesus is his Son. As we learn about God, we find he is incapable of tolerating sin. But all have sinned. So in order for him to accept anyone, he sent his Son to die and pay the debt for sin. We turn from our sin, put our trust in Jesus and confess him as our Savior. Then showing our faith, we are baptized in his name, coming in contact with his saving blood.
Heavenly Father increase my faith. Instill in me a greater awe for your majesty and your power. Help me grasp your great love so I can fathom your grace. Give me wisdom to understand your word and strength and self-control to obey you in every way as I am molded into your image. Thank you for making it possible for me to have hope of being with you – not just wishful thinking that it might be but your assurance that by being faithful, it will be. I pray in the name of Jesus.
Robert
