Daily Devotionals
Daily Devotional: Psalms 79:8-13
Ps 79:8-13
8 Do not hold against us the sins of the fathers; may your mercy come quickly to meet us, for we are in desperate need. 9 Help us, O God our Savior, for the glory of your name; deliver us and forgive our sins for your name's sake. 10 Why should the nations say, "Where is their God?" Before our eyes, make known among the nations that you avenge the outpoured blood of your servants. 11 May the groans of the prisoners come before you; by the strength of your arm preserve those condemned to die. 12 Pay back into the laps of our neighbors seven times the reproach they have hurled at you, O Lord. 13 Then we your people, the sheep of your pasture, will praise you forever; from generation to generation we will recount your praise.
Matt 4:8-11
8 Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. 9 "All this I will give you," he said, "if you will bow down and worship me." 10 Jesus said to him, "Away from me, Satan! For it is written: 'Worship the Lord your God and serve him only.'" 11 Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him.
There is no more important study for us today than the study of God. Learning who he is, his nature (what makes him God), his holiness, his majesty, his power and his wisdom. These are all words we use about him and sing in our songs but do we let them sink into our minds and understand what we are saying? We sing that he is an awesome God but do we grasp the full meaning of awesome?
It was the failure of remembering these things about God that lead Israel to not obey him, to not trust him and to grumble against him. His power means there is nothing that is too great for him. His ability to know all things means nothing is so small that he cannot notice it. His holiness means that he cannot tolerate sin and his justice means that it must be punished. But his love and compassion make it possible for us to have our sins forgiven in Jesus Christ. His promises are sure and his word is forever. Our whole being is to be about bringing honor to God and to Jesus his Son and we do this by trusting and obeying him and his word.
Heavenly Father I am thankful that you have revealed yourself to me in your word and also in all of your creation. I read that you created all things and the more I learn of your creation, the more I believe the word and trust you. All around me I see confirmation of your revelation. Keep me from every using your name in vain or in a flippant manner. The more I realize your majesty, the more I see just how small I am and how I owe all I have and am to you. Your love gives me joy and peace, even in the midst of a troubled world. I pray in the name of Jesus.
Robert
