Daily Devotionals
Daily Devotional: Psalms 31:14-18
Ps 31:14-18
14 But I trust in you, O LORD; I say, "You are my God." 15 My times are in your hands; deliver me from my enemies and from those who pursue me. 16 Let your face shine on your servant; save me in your unfailing love. 17 Let me not be put to shame, O LORD, for I have cried out to you; but let the wicked be put to shame and lie silent in the grave. 18 Let their lying lips be silenced, for with pride and contempt they speak arrogantly against the righteous.
John 17:9-11
9 I pray for them. I am not praying for the world, but for those you have given me, for they are yours. 10 All I have is yours, and all you have is mine. And glory has come to me through them. 11 I will remain in the world no longer, but they are still in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father protect them by the power of your name-the name you gave me-so that they may be one as we are one.
When we come to God in Christ, we become one with the Father. He adds us to his church, to his family, his kingdom and his vineyard. We are his and he is our God. Jesus is the Savior of all the world for all who will come to him. But he is also our personal Savior, saving us on an individual basis and caring for us as one who belongs to him. Paul said he was in Christ and Christ was in him.
Solomon concluded that the whole purpose of our existence is to fear God and to keep his commandments because we will all be judged by him. The writer of the book of Hebrews says it is a terrible thing to fall into the hands of the living God. It is right for us to fear God in a reverential way with the utmost respect. But we fear him also because he demands this respect and service and all who reject him will be punished with everlasting punishment. He will be our final judge.
But as with so many things these two extremes come together in the love of God and his desire for each of us to be saved. We must never lose our respect for him as God and Jesus as the Son of God. We stand in awe of him, his glory, his majesty and his power. But we also come to him as our loving Father who knows us and has promised to care for us. Jesus is our Savior and our King but he is our brother.
Heavenly Father, giver of life and creator of all things, in your infinite wisdom you have made it possible for me to be in fellowship with you and to be able to talk to you. I stand in awe of you today and yet I come into your presence with boldness in the name of Jesus your Son and my intercessor. Thank you for making this possible. Empower me with your Spirit so I will be able to stand and to overcome every temptation I face. Use me to encourage others in their walk with you. Open my eyes to every opportunity you provide for me to share your gospel. Be with the leaders of our nation and other nations. I pray in the name of Jesus.
Robert
