Daily Devotionals
Daily Devotional: Psalms 118:8-14
Ps 118:8-14
8 It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in man. 9 It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in princes. 10 All the nations surrounded me, but in the name of the LORD I cut them off. 11 They surrounded me on every side, but in the name of the LORD I cut them off. 12 They swarmed around me like bees, but they died out as quickly as burning thorns; in the name of the LORD I cut them off. 13 I was pushed back and about to fall, but the LORD helped me. 14 The LORD is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation.
Eph 3:17b-21
And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18 may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge-that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. 20 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.
I often listen to preaching on the radio. To hear many of these people talk about serving God, it would seem that as long as you are a Christian it is not a problem to always do what is right. Somehow, having the Spirit living in us, we suddenly don’t yield to temptations and our personality is changed to be like Christ.
Peter says we are to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Paul says that at times he had a problem of not doing what he knew was right and at other times doing what he knew was wrong. He also warned on several occasions that we are not to be deceived about sin.
We can trust God and have his power to overcome every evil we face. We will have the darkest hours come into our lives but with the help of God we can face them knowing he is with us and will sustain us. The deepest needs he can meet and the worst hurts he can heal. But we do have to build our self-control. We do have to work on increasing our faith. We must allow the Spirit to work in us and when he is prodding our conscience, we must listen and follow him.
O God in heaven and ruler of all things, I know you have power over heaven and earth and over Satan and his demons. Give me greater faith and help me use my opportunities to grow in the knowledge of your word and in your grace. Give me wisdom to see the deceit of the devil and strength to stand against him. Knowing what this entails, I ask you to help me have more patience and to help me be humble. I want to be like you and I know I fail so please continue to forgive me when I sin. Use me in your service in your way. I pray in the name of Jesus.
Robert
