Daily Devotionals
Daily Devotional: Psalms 78:32-39
Ps 78:32-39
32 In spite of all this, they kept on sinning; in spite of his wonders, they did not believe. 33 So he ended their days in futility and their years in terror. 34 Whenever God slew them, they would seek him; they eagerly turned to him again. 35 They remembered that God was their Rock, that God Most High was their Redeemer. 36 But then they would flatter him with their mouths, lying to him with their tongues; 37 their hearts were not loyal to him, they were not faithful to his covenant. 38 Yet he was merciful; he forgave their iniquities and did not destroy them. Time after time he restrained his anger and did not stir up his full wrath. 39 He remembered that they were but flesh, a passing breeze that does not return.
James 3:9-12
9 With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God's likeness. 10 Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be. 11 Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? 12 My brothers, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water.
Every day of our lives we faces test of our faith. It may not be a test that is as big as when God told Abraham to offer his son on an alter or the afflictions of Job but we all face tests in our lives. We have an opportunity to do good for someone and how do we react? We are spoken to harshly and can respond in kindness or we can retaliate in anger – what choice do we make? The list goes on and on.
God is patient, kind, loving and forgiving. He sees much deeper than our action or our reaction. God looks on our hearts and he knows our motives. This does not mean that a good motive is an excuse for sin or our failure when tested. But God knows if we are genuinely trying to live for him and do his will or if we are one of those who tries to appear righteous but not acting from the heart.
We must be careful in making judgments toward others. Only God can make true judgments and knows when to extend mercy and show his grace. Each one has enough in their own lives to keep them (us) busy seeking to be like Jesus.
Heavenly Father I want to be just like Jesus in my thoughts, in my motives and in every action of my life but I know I fail – miserably fail and sin. I need your help and your wisdom to control my tongue, to know when to speak and when to be silent. Open my eyes to every opportunity to do good and to share what you have given me. Give me a pure heart, even as the heart of a child. Lord be with all in our nation; our leaders, the masses, and the news media so that we will seek your wisdom so we can have your peace. I humbly pray in the name of Jesus.
Robert
