Daily Devotionals
Daily Devotional: Psalms 119:25-32
Ps 119:25-32 Daleth
25 I am laid low in the dust; preserve my life according to your word. 26 I recounted my ways and you answered me; teach me your decrees. 27 Let me understand the teaching of your precepts; then I will meditate on your wonders. 28 My soul is weary with sorrow; strengthen me according to your word. 29 Keep me from deceitful ways; be gracious to me through your law. 30 I have chosen the way of truth; I have set my heart on your laws. 31 I hold fast to your statutes, O LORD; do not let me be put to shame. 32 I run in the path of your commands, for you have set my heart free.
Matt 6:19-21
19 "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
I asked the question yesterday but never really got to the answer. Why should we obey God? Why does he demand obedience? The answer is simple. He is God and this demands that all acknowledge him and obey him. To obey him is to honor him. Obedience is the ultimate recognition of his glory and majesty.
He showed his power to Israel when he led them out of Egypt. In the wilderness he demonstrated his glory on several occasions. At Mount Sinai he covered the mountain with smoke and fire billowed upward as the thunder rolled. It was his majesty that shook the earth. Then from the midst of this, he gave his laws. They were accompanied with both the warning of punishment for disobedience and the promise of blessing for following them. We obey because he is God.
But God is love and he is merciful. It is for this reason that obedience not only leads us to eternal life but brings us the best possible life on earth. Paul says we are created in Christ Jesus to do good works which God has prepared for us to do. We do not earn our salvation but we belong to Christ so we are committed to live for him. By doing this we avoid the many pitfalls and dangers that would take us away from God and lead to spiritual death. To love God is to obey God.
Heavenly Father it is with joy that I seek to obey you in every way. My goal is to be just like Jesus in every thought and action in my life. But my flesh gets in the way at times and I follow my own will instead of yours. Give me strength to obey you and to overcome each temptation I face. Help me keep my thoughts on things that are positive and wholesome instead of being negative and critical. Use me to encourage others and to bring joy into their lives. Thank you for revealing your word to us. Give me wisdom to use it in my daily life. I pray in Jesus name.
Robert
