Daily Devotionals
Daily Devotional: Psalms 9:7-12
Ps 9:7-12
7 The LORD reigns forever; he has established his throne for judgment. 8 He will judge the world in righteousness; he will govern the peoples with justice. 9 The LORD is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble. 10 Those who know your name will trust in you, for you, LORD, have never forsaken those who seek you. 11 Sing praises to the LORD, enthroned in Zion; proclaim among the nations what he has done. 12 For he who avenges blood remembers; he does not ignore the cry of the afflicted.
1 John 3:1-3
1 How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. 2 Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when he appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. 3 Everyone who has this hope in him purifies himself, just as he is pure.
God is love. Jesus said he gave a new commandment, that his disciples love each other. This love was the test he gave to determine if anyone really belonged to him or was just pretending. But the love of God that drives out all fear is not just some mushy feeling or emotion. The love of God is seeking what is in the best interest of the one who is loved. This love is the reason God gave his Son.
Jesus said the greatest commandment is to love the Lord God with all our heart, soul and mind. This is love that prompts us to do only that which will glorify the Father and honor him. Every action in our lives will be in obedience to his will as we seek to be like him in every way. This love begins in our hearts but is seen in our everyday lives. To love God is to trust him and to obey him.
But this same love is to be directed toward all of those with whom we come in contact. Just as God loves us when we were his enemies, Jesus says we are to love our enemies and pray for them. Love is kind, patient, gentle, compassionate and without pretense. This love will motivate us to treat others the way we want to be treated rather than reciprocate in the way they treat us. In love, we imitate God.
Heavenly Father I am so thankful for your wonderful love that goes beyond the limits of my imagination. Increase my faith so I will love you with all of my heart, all of my soul and all of my mind. Give me a passion to obey you in every part of my life so I will become more like you every day. Fill me with your love for others so they will see Jesus living in me. Take away all bitterness, anger and fault finding and replace it with your love, compassion and forgiveness. Give your healing and peace to those who are sick and hurting. I pray in the name of Jesus.
Robert
