Daily Devotionals
Daily Devotional: Psalms 39:7-13
Ps 39:7-13
7 "But now, Lord, what do I look for? My hope is in you. 8 Save me from all my transgressions; do not make me the scorn of fools. 9 I was silent; I would not open my mouth, for you are the one who has done this. 10 Remove your scourge from me; I am overcome by the blow of your hand. 11 You rebuke and discipline men for their sin; you consume their wealth like a moth--each man is but a breath. Selah 12 "Hear my prayer, O LORD, listen to my cry for help; be not deaf to my weeping. For I dwell with you as an alien, a stranger, as all my fathers were. 13 Look away from me, that I may rejoice again before I depart and am no more."
1 Peter 1:3-6
3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade-kept in heaven for you, 5 who through faith are shielded by God's power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. 6 In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials.
I guess it is part of our human nature to read what Peter wrote and focus on the last half of the last sentence about suffering instead of what precedes it. Suffering is a reality in life. Life can be hard and can deal us some really terrible things. We are betrayed by friends (or even by family), we have diseases, loved ones die and all kinds of financial issues. Yes, life can be hard. But there is more to come.
If this world is all there is to life, the wise man says it is vain and like chasing the wind. When our emphasis is on this world and what it offers, we are wasting our time. This world and all that is in it will pass away. But there is more to come!
This is why we are to keep our minds set on the things above and on Jesus. We have a new home waiting for us if we have been born again and are living for him now. When this world is destroyed there will be a new heaven and a new earth for the faithful. A dwelling with our Lord that has no trials, no suffering, no pain, no sickness and no death. We will have a new glorious body and be like him.
Heavenly Father help me keep my eyes focused on Jesus and on heaven above instead of being distracted by the things of this world. Help me look beyond the present so I will lay up treasures in heaven instead of the things that will fade and spoil. Increase my faith and give me your strength as I seek to be like you but face new challenges each day. Please guide our leaders so we can live in peace. Never let me forget that I am your child and you are my Father. In Jesus name.
Robert
