Daily Devotionals
Daily Devotional: Psalms 33:12-19
Ps 33:12-19
12 Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD, the people he chose for his inheritance. 13 From heaven the LORD looks down and sees all mankind; 14 from his dwelling place he watches all who live on earth--15 he who forms the hearts of all, who considers everything they do. 16 No king is saved by the size of his army; no warrior escapes by his great strength. 17 A horse is a vain hope for deliverance; despite all its great strength it cannot save. 18 But the eyes of the LORD are on those who fear him, on those whose hope is in his unfailing love, 19 to deliver them from death and keep them alive in famine.
Rom 13:1-2, 7
1 Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. 2 Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. 7 Give everyone what you owe him: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.
Over the years I have worked in several different places, some were small in size and locally owned while others were worldwide corporations with thousands of employees. I have not always agreed with every decision made by management but have tried to remember that often the decision makers have facts at their disposal that I know nothing about. They are looking at the big picture rather than the day to day production where I have been. So I assume they know best.
God knows every detail of my life and yours. He sees us sneeze and he knows when we face a major crisis. In fact, he knows what we are facing before we face it so he alters things for our good. Yet, too often, in our ignorance and arrogance, we think we know more than God about what is best for us.
Nowhere is this more true than the governments that control our lives. The U. S. is a great nation and we enjoy so many freedoms and opportunities that most of the world can only dream of being a reality. But our nation is great because God has made it so. Every leader (both parties, good or bad in our eyes) is there at the appointment of our God. So we must honor and pray for them and our nation.
Heavenly Father I am so thankful for the United States of America and the many opportunities this has given me in my life. Thank you for the freedoms I enjoy, for the wisdom of our founding fathers and for so many who have fought and given their lives to make this nation a reality. But never let me forget that all of this has happened because you made it possible. Thank your for our leaders and I pray you will guide and bless them with wisdom. I pray in the name of Jesus.
Robert
