Daily Devotionals
Daily Devotional: Psalms 34:1-7
Ps 34:1-7
1 I will extol the LORD at all times; his praise will always be on my lips. 2 My soul will boast in the LORD; let the afflicted hear and rejoice. 3 Glorify the LORD with me; let us exalt his name together. 4 I sought the LORD, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears. 5 Those who look to him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame. 6 This poor man called, and the LORD heard him; he saved him out of all his troubles. 7 The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him, and he delivers them.
2 Tim 2:22-24
22 Flee the evil desires of youth, and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. 23 Don't have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels. 24 And the Lord's servant must not quarrel; instead, he must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful.
We all face many different desires in our lives. Some desires are just wrong, they are ungodly or even immoral. But probably most of us face desires that are not wrong in themselves but can become controlling if we allow them to do so. It is so easy to allow the things of this world, with all the pleasures and possessions, to take a place of priority in our hearts and minds. Like the seed that fell among the thorns, they choke out our service to God and our spiritual growth.
When we trust God, we will praise him and extol his name at all times. Instead of seeing this world and the things of this world as being just for our pleasure, we begin to see them as a means of honoring God and glorifying his name. We can use all that God has given us, our possessions, our abilities and our opportunities, as a means of serving others and in doing so to serve God.
As we ponder his greatness, his majesty and his glory we stand in awe and realize that life is about getting ready to be with him in eternity. No matter how vast my estate may be, I will leave it to another and face God in judgment. Has my pursuit been about things, about power and pleasure or has it been about righteousness, faith, love and peace with a pure heart? This will be the measure of my faith.
Heavenly Father I am so thankful for all you have given me. There have been some very hard times in my life and there have been times of abundance because of your grace. Give me a heart that is willing to trust you above all else and to use what I have been given to serve you by serving others. Give me a willingness to stand for your truth but to do so in a loving way. I ask your blessings and your peace on those who are taking treatments, those who are facing or getting over surgery and those who are lonely and afraid. I pray in the name of Jesus.
Robert
