Daily Devotionals
Daily Devotional: Psalms 106:24-31
Ps 106:24-31
24 Then they despised the pleasant land; they did not believe his promise. 25 They grumbled in their tents and did not obey the LORD. 26 So he swore to them with uplifted hand that he would make them fall in the desert, 27 make their descendants fall among the nations and scatter them throughout the lands. 28 They yoked themselves to the Baal of Peor and ate sacrifices offered to lifeless gods; 29 they provoked the LORD to anger by their wicked deeds, and a plague broke out among them. 30 But Phinehas stood up and intervened, and the plague was checked. 31 This was credited to him as righteousness for endless generations to come.
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.
God told Israel very plainly that they were to never serve any other gods or make any images to represent him or gods of the world. He alone is God and he is the one who delivered them from bondage and had made a great nation of them. He is a jealous God and alone deserves to be worshipped. He showed them his power in many ways and revealed his glory to them on the mountain.
In spite of this, when they arrived at the land of Canaan, they rebelled because of unbelief and refused to go in and take the land. In the process they made a calf of gold and worshipped it. They rebelled against everything God did for them and complained about all of his care and blessings. They said the journey was too long, the food was not good and the water was either too sparse or was bitter.
Do we murmur and complain when God has blessed us? Do we doubt him and his care when something goes wrong from our point of view? Do we make gods of pleasure or of material things? Do we allow our desires or our cravings to control us instead of following his word? The LORD, He is God! Praise His Holy Name!
Heavenly Father you bless me in more ways than I can count or even know and have delivered me from so many trials in my life. You have provided for me when it seemed things were impossible and you have healed me when I have been near death. You have given me courage to face things that were beyond my strength and defeated obstacles and temptations that were insurmountable. Increase my faith and help me keep my eyes on Jesus who is seated at your right hand. Use me to help others be faithful to you also. I pray in the name of Jesus my Lord.
Robert
