Daily Devotionals
Daily Devotional: Psalms 6:1-5
Ps 6:1-5
1 O LORD do not rebuke me in your anger or discipline me in your wrath. 2 Be merciful to me, LORD, for I am faint; O LORD, heal me, for my bones are in agony. 3 My soul is in anguish. How long, O LORD, how long? 4 Turn, O LORD, and deliver me; save me because of your unfailing love. 5 No one remembers you when he is dead. Who praises you from the grave?
Matt 5:10-12
10 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 "Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. 12 Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
Though great and powerful, David realized that he was king and ruled the world only because God had given it to him. He did not entertain allusions of grandeur, thinking he had accomplished this success on his own. As king and ruler over most of the known world, his aim was to do what was right and to treat his subjects fairly, and in this way to honor God. It was God’s kingdom, not his own.
With this mindset, he faced all kinds of criticism and persecution from both his own people and many of the nations around him. At times it was just talk but at other times there were those who sought his life. Before David became king, the previous king, Saul, spent several years hunting him and trying to kill him. Serving God is not easy but fighting our own battles never brings victory, so he trusted God to take care of him and preserve his life. In all his trials, he praised the Lord.
As we serve God today, we will face all kinds of trials. There will be times that we will be made fun of or ridiculed for our faith. There may be times that we actually face persecutions of various kinds. We will be left out of the “gang” or shunned when they are telling jokes (because they know we don’t want to hear them). It may come as we are passed over for a promotion or some honor at our job. But like David, we can put our trust in God and know that he will take care of us and protect us in all we face. In so doing, we honor him and bring glory to his name.
Heavenly Father I am so thankful to be your child and as a part of your family to have so many brothers and sisters who love me and encourage me. As I live in a wicked world, help me let the light of Jesus shine through me so others will see his attitude in me and by my actions will glorify your name. Forgive me when I fail to be all you want me to be. I ask a special blessing on those who are persecuted for their faith in Jesus, some of whom face death on a daily basis. Give them your strength and sustain their faith. I pray in the name of Jesus my Lord.
Robert
