Daily Devotionals
Daily Devotional: Psalms 37:14-19
Ps 37:14-19
14 The wicked draw the sword and bend the bow to bring down the poor and needy, to slay those whose ways are upright. 15 But their swords will pierce their own hearts, and their bows will be broken. 16 Better the little that the righteous have than the wealth of many wicked; 17 for the power of the wicked will be broken, but the LORD upholds the righteous. 18 The days of the blameless are known to the LORD, and their inheritance will endure forever. 19 In times of disaster they will not wither; in days of famine they will enjoy plenty.
Heb 11:39-12:1
39 These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised. 40 God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect. 12:1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.
Having competed in athletic events in my younger days, I can assure you it is a big help to have a cheering section. Even as a preacher or teacher it is encouraging to be told one is doing a good job or that something said has helped someone. Even when one is not in first place in a race, it is a good feeling to know we are making the effort and others appreciate what we are doing and want the best for us.
In our daily lives (for the Christian, everything we do or say is a part of our spiritual life and related to our relationship with Christ) we need encouragement and someone to keep us going. We have the entire retinue of faithful saints who are cheering us on as we live for the Lord. They have lived their lives on earth and are now with the Lord but are pulling for us to remain faithful and diligent.
So we must never allow those who seem to prosper, pull us away from God. We can never allow the circumstances of this world, no matter how unfair life may seem to be, deter us from serving our King. He has also been here and has been mistreated unfairly but continued to trust the Father. Jesus entrusted himself to the one who judges righteously and we can depend on him too.
Heavenly Father it is such a pleasure to be able to trust you in all things and to know that you will take care of me and my every need. Increase my faith so no matter what I face I will look to you and keep my eyes on Jesus. Forgive me when I fail to be all you want me to be. As we live in ease in this country, it is easy to forget that many are suffering from lack of food and do not have what we see as basic human rights. There are those who are mistreated and even killed for their faith. Give these your strength and your peace. I pray in Jesus name.
Robert
