Daily Devotionals
Daily Devotional: Psalms 143:1-6
Ps 143:1-6
1 O LORD, hear my prayer, listen to my cry for mercy; in your faithfulness and righteousness come to my relief. 2 Do not bring your servant into judgment, for no one living is righteous before you. 3 The enemy pursues me, he crushes me to the ground; he makes me dwell in darkness like those long dead. 4 So my spirit grows faint within me; my heart within me is dismayed. 5 I remember the days of long ago; I meditate on all your works and consider what your hands have done. 6 I spread out my hands to you; my soul thirsts for you like a parched land. Selah
Heb 4:15-16
15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are-yet was without sin. 16 Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.
As the children of God we have privileges and protections that the world cannot imagine. The masses go through life in the pursuit of happiness, the longing for peace within and with the knowledge that their lives really do have purpose and are important but never find any of these in themselves. Jesus gives every part of our lives meaning in him. Our purpose is not to get all we can get but to give all we can give. Happiness is found in the fear of the Lord and in serving him. Peace comes because we know how to forgive others as he has forgiven us.
Jesus taught some principles that contradict human reasoning and the wisdom of this world. He said that true happiness is for those who will humble themselves and allow others to be more important. Peace is not for those who demand their own rights but is for those who defend the rights of those who cannot defend themselves. Joy is found in recognizing our sinfulness, turning from it and accepting the forgiveness found in Jesus Christ and then allowing God to fill us with his love. Perfected love in us takes away all fear of life and death.
Heavenly Father I am so thankful for your love shown to me and to all mankind in giving your Son as a sacrifice for sin. It is hard for me to imagine your glory and your majesty or what it really means for you to be all powerful and all knowing. Infinite wisdom is not something I can wrap my head around and yet I know you have no limits of wisdom. All of this makes your love even more magnificent to me. Give me a heart like yours so I will love as you love, seek righteousness as you are righteous and be filled with compassion and kindness as you have shown to me in more ways than I can count. I pray in the name of Jesus.
Robert
