Daily Devotionals
Daily Devotional: Psalms 119:1-8
Ps 119:1-8 Aleph
1 Blessed are they whose ways are blameless, who walk according to the law of the LORD. 2 Blessed are they who keep his statutes and seek him with all their heart. 3 They do nothing wrong; they walk in his ways. 4 You have laid down precepts that are to be fully obeyed. 5 Oh, that my ways were steadfast in obeying your decrees! 6 Then I would not be put to shame when I consider all your commands. 7 I will praise you with an upright heart as I learn your righteous laws. 8 I will obey your decrees; do not utterly forsake me.
James 1:16-18
16 Don't be deceived, my dear brothers. 17 Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. 18 He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created.
When we let the reality of God sink in our minds we are opened to a whole new way of thinking. You and I have not seen God or heard him audibly speak to us so it makes it difficult for us to picture him as a real being – let alone as God. He is not “a god” but is “the” only true God. He is infinite in all things. He is truth, he is wisdom, he is justice and he is righteousness. He is majestic and all powerful.
As God, his revealed word is always right in every detail. We may not always understand it completely or properly but the problem is not his word, it is our understanding. In his word (the Scriptures) his nature is revealed to us so that we can know what we are to become and how to do so. As we study about God, we learn of his love for us and how he has provided a way for us to have our sins forgiven and how we can be with him in his glory in heaven, in eternity.
Since he is God and his word is truth, we must obey it. Our obedience does not earn us our salvation but rather is a demonstration of our faith. It shows a faith that has absolute trust in the God who made us and who directs our steps. This is not bibleolatry nor is it legalism. This obedience is a recognition of his wisdom and a willingness to humbly submit to his will. While our understanding is not perfect and our obedience falls short, we can still be forgiven by the blood of Jesus.
Heavenly Father I am so thankful for your love for me. Thank you for being patient with me as I work on my faults and becoming what you want me to be. You have given me such wonderful opportunities to know your will and thus to know you but I have failed so many times to obey you. Thank you for the forgiveness you provide in Jesus. Increase my faith so I will obey you more completely. Help me be a good example of your will so others will see Jesus living in me and will want to be yours also. Mold me into your image and use me. I pray in Jesus name.
Robert
