Daily Devotionals
Daily Devotional: Psalms 80:1-7
Ps 80:1-7
1 Hear us, O Shepherd of Israel, you who lead Joseph like a flock; you who sit enthroned between the cherubim, shine forth 2 before Ephraim, Benjamin and Manasseh. Awaken your might; come and save us. 3 Restore us, O God; make your face shine upon us, that we may be saved. 4 O LORD God Almighty, how long will your anger smolder against the prayers of your people? 5 You have fed them with the bread of tears; you have made them drink tears by the bowlful. 6 You have made us a source of contention to our neighbors, and our enemies mock us. 7 Restore us, O God Almighty; make your face shine upon us, that we may be saved.
Luke 19:37-42
37 When he came near the place where the road goes down the Mount of Olives, the whole crowd of disciples began joyfully to praise God in loud voices for all the miracles they had seen: 38 "Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!" "Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!" 39 Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to Jesus, "Teacher, rebuke your disciples!" 40 "I tell you," he replied, "if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out." 41 As he approached Jerusalem and saw the city, he wept over it 42 and said, "If you, even you, had only known on this day what would bring you peace-but now it is hidden from your eyes.
Jerusalem! The city of God! The city where the presence of God dwelt among men and his power was shown. Israel was the nation of people that he had made into a great nation, one that once ruled the world under David. They had seen the power of God and his miracles. They had received his word to guide them.
Yet, with all of this they had rebelled against him and were about to kill his Son who had come to save them. When they sinned and got into trouble, they would call on him to deliver them. Because of their sin they had drifted away from God.
Jesus wept, crying “if you had only known.” Only a few days later this same crowd demanded that he be crucified and he died saying “Father forgive them because they don’t know what they are doing.” How many times has Jesus cried over us because in our stubbornness and ignorance we will not follow him?
Heavenly Father I am so sorry that I sin. At times I wonder why you do not hear me or answer my prayer but then I realize you know best. Today I think, what if our government leaders only knew? What if your people, the body of Christ, his church, only knew? Forgive me and help me turn from my doubt, my fear, my stubbornness, and my pride that grieves your Spirit. I want to be like Jesus so I need your Spirit to fill my heart with your love. I pray in Jesus name.
Robert
