Daily Devotionals
Daily Devotional: Psalms 119:161-168
Ps 119:161-168 Sin and Shin
161 Rulers persecute me without cause, but my heart trembles at your word. 162 I rejoice in your promise like one who finds great spoil. 163 I hate and abhor falsehood but I love your law. 164 Seven times a day I praise you for your righteous laws. 165 Great peace have they who love your law, and nothing can make them stumble. 166 I wait for your salvation, O LORD, and I follow your commands. 167 I obey your statutes, for I love them greatly. 168 I obey your precepts and your statutes, for all my ways are known to you.
Phil 4:8-9
8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable-if anything is excellent or praiseworthy-think about such things. 9 Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me or seen in me-put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.
James tells us that the wisdom from above is first pure then peaceable. The fruit of this wisdom is peace. God did not make us to be filled with turmoil, strife and the stress that goes with this kind of life. Yet, we live in a world that is filled with envy, selfish ambition, disorder and every evil practice. This lifestyle is based on natural wisdom that is of this world and comes from the devil.
The more we love God and his word, the more we will have peace in our lives. It is by dwelling on God, on Jesus and on things from above that we find the joy that God intended for us to have. To have this peace we must give up self and our selfish ambitions and allow Jesus to be our Lord. The very thing that so many shun because they think it takes away their joy is actually what bring them true peace and happiness. Remember, God made us and he knows what is best for us.
The joy that we are to have in Christ Jesus is not based on the circumstances in our lives but is from within. By trusting in him we find peace in the midst of strife because it comes from our peace with God and with ourselves. We harbor no anger or ill-will toward others because God’s wisdom leads us to love and forgive everyone, even those who have done us wrong and don’t deserve it.
Heavenly Father I am so thankful that you have forgiven me even though I know I don’t deserve to be forgiven. You love me when I have been unlovable. You have shown your mercy to me when I have been hardhearted toward others. I need your wisdom in my life and I need to learn to love others as you love me. Help me open my heart to the bidding of your Spirit so I will get rid of hatred, bitterness and strife and be filled with your peace. I ask your blessings on those who are taking treatments and getting over surgeries. I pray in the name of Jesus.
Robert
