Daily Devotionals
Daily Devotional: Psalms 118:8-14
Ps 118:8-14
8 It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in man. 9 It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in princes. 10 All the nations surrounded me, but in the name of the LORD I cut them off. 11 They surrounded me on every side, but in the name of the LORD I cut them off. 12 They swarmed around me like bees, but they died out as quickly as burning thorns; in the name of the LORD I cut them off. 13 I was pushed back and about to fall, but the LORD helped me. 14 The LORD is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation.
Rom 12:9-13
9 Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. 10 Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. 11 Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. 12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. 13 Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality.
We love to say the words and to sing the songs about trust but do we really trust in the Lord? One of the best measures of our faith is to look at our levels of fear and anxiety. Do we stay awake at night worrying about what is going to happen with ______? We say we are not afraid of _______ but every conversation is about it and every moment we live we are thinking about it. Is this not showing a lack of faith and trust in the Lord? Do we not believe he is in control?
If God would only do things the way we think best and then if he would do them in the time frame we want, it would be much easier to trust him. But the truth is, that is trusting in ourselves and not in the Lord. He orders our steps and not the other way around. He provides our needs and he can give us rain or sunshine. He is the giver of life and all things are upheld by his Son. We need to let go.
What a blessing and joy that the one who made us and knows all that is best for us, still loves us and is still watching over us. It is our place to follow his will and leave the results of our lives up to him. We may face suffering and we will face all kinds of troubles but he will see us through them. We can use them to make us stronger and trust him even more. What an honor to trust the God of peace!
Thank you, Lord, for your steadfastness and love that endures forever. Thank you for the sunshine and the flowers that bloom. Thank you for the storms and even the darkest nights. Open my eyes to see the many blessings you provide and to see that so many of them come in times of distress and hardships. Help me focus on the things above and keep my eyes on Jesus. Guide me and use me in a way that fits your will and will help others. Increase my faith. Empower me with your Spirit as his fruit grows in my life every day. I pray in the name of Jesus.
Robert
