Daily Devotionals
Daily Devotional: Psalms 41:1-6
Ps 41:1-6
1 Blessed is he who has regard for the weak; the LORD delivers him in times of trouble. 2 The LORD will protect him and preserve his life; he will bless him in the land and not surrender him to the desire of his foes. 3 The LORD will sustain him on his sickbed and restore him from his bed of illness. 4 I said, "O LORD, have mercy on me; heal me, for I have sinned against you." 5 My enemies say of me in malice, "When will he die and his name perish?" 6 Whenever one comes to see me, he speaks falsely, while his heart gathers slander; then he goes out and spreads it abroad.
Gal 6:9-10
9 Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. 10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.
When we are successful in material things, it is easy for us to look down on those who are hurting or in need. We forget that all we have is from the Lord and he has said we are to use it to lay up treasures in heaven. We rationalize that those in need are there because of their own doing so we don’t help, even when we have opportunity and the means to do so. While there are deadbeats and those who will leach off of others, this is not the case of everyone in need.
We, like the friends of Job, tend to reason that if a person is suffering, they must have done something wrong. God blesses those who serve him and are faithful to him and he punishes those who reject him. While the wages of sin is death, it is spiritual death to which Paul refers and does not mean God will punish people in this life for all the evil we do. Material success does not equate to righteousness.
Jesus said it is more blessed to give than to receive. For a child this is hard to comprehend. For the spiritually immature, it is also hard to grasp and believe. We are so controlled by the things of this world and too often are reluctant to give to others unless we can see some tangible benefit being returned to us. Jesus said to loan to the one who cannot repay. We are giving to God when we help someone.
Heavenly Father tear from my heart any love of money and all allegiance to this world and the things in it. Give me a willing heart to help others and eyes to see the need when it arises. Help me be rich in good deeds and in faith and to abound in love. Create in me a pure heart, filled with compassion. Forgive me when I sin and give me wisdom to see my own faults. Be with the leaders of our nation and restore a spirit of unity and peace in our people. Help me see where you want me to be and what you want me to do and then use me in your will. Bless those who are beset with physical problems. I pray in the name of Jesus my Lord.
Robert
