Daily Devotionals
Daily Devotional: Psalms 60:1-5
Ps 60:1-5
1 You have rejected us, O God, and burst forth upon us; you have been angry--now restore us! 2 You have shaken the land and torn it open; mend its fractures, for it is quaking. 3 You have shown your people desperate times; you have given us wine that makes us stagger. 4 But for those who fear you, you have raised a banner to be unfurled against the bow. Selah 5 Save us and help us with your right hand, that those you love may be delivered.
Heb 12:7-9
7 Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father? 8 If you are not disciplined (and everyone undergoes discipline), then you are illegitimate children and not true sons. 9 Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of our spirits and live!
How do we view the problems we face in life? Do we moan and cry “woe is me” or do we turn them over to the Lord? Do we feel life is unfair, get depressed and want to give up? Do we blame God for abandoning us or causing our problems in the first place? We can choose what to do with our circumstances in life.
When we turn all of our problems over to God and we partake of his strength to overcome, we will displace our doubt and fear with greater faith. Nothing builds muscle more than hard work and nothing builds faith more than trials. The other side of the promise that God will not let us be tempted beyond what we are able to bear is that he will allow us to be tempted to our limits. Along with the trials comes the way to escape and the strength to overcome, if we trust him.
Discipline (training) is not fun but is hard and often painful. But we rejoice that we can be counted worthy to suffer with and for our Lord. We give thanks for trials that build our faith and refine it like gold in the fire. We use hardships as a way of teaching us or reminding us to share with others and help them in their trials. We live in the knowledge that God knows best and will use all that happens to us for our good, now and in eternity. In everything, with thanksgiving we pray to God so that we don’t worry but accept the peace of God in our hearts and minds.
Heavenly Father I am so thankful for your wisdom. You have taught me so many lessons by the things I have faced in my life. You have taught me the value of giving, sharing and serving as others have helped me in my times of distress. Use me even more and keep me from being selfish with what you have given to me so I will serve you by serving others. Be with our nation and our leaders, as well as other nations, as we face this health crisis that it will be short-lived. Help us use it to bring us unity as a nation, trusting in you. I pray in the name of Jesus.
Robert
