Daily Devotionals
Daily Devotional: Psalms 119:81-88
Ps 119:81-88 Kaph
81 My soul faints with longing for your salvation, but I have put my hope in your word. 82 My eyes fail, looking for your promise; I say, "When will you comfort me?" 83 Though I am like a wineskin in the smoke, I do not forget your decrees. 84 How long must your servant wait? When will you punish my persecutors? 85 The arrogant dig pitfalls for me, contrary to your law. 86 All your commands are trustworthy; help me, for men persecute me without cause. 87 They almost wiped me from the earth, but I have not forsaken your precepts. 88 Preserve my life according to your love, and I will obey the statutes of your mouth.
1 Peter 1:13-16
13 Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed. 14 As obedient children do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. 15 But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; 16 for it is written: "Be holy, because I am holy."
Our goal in life is two-fold. We are to bring honor to our Father in all things. The second goal is to become prepared to live in eternity with him. It is in doing the first that allows us to be molded by his Spirit so that we become more like him each day. The more we can imitate the Father, the more we can show Jesus in us, the more we are ready to be with him in that eternal glory.
This is why sin is described in Romans 3:23 as anything in us that falls short of the glory of God. Our goal is perfection. When we submit to the will of God and we obey his word in everything, we are being holy as he is holy. When we fail to do this, we bring reproach on him and we dishonor his holy name.
No matter how good we become in understanding and obeying the word of God, we still fail at times. One danger is that we become proud of our obedience and then we begin to look down on those who have not reached our level. Another danger is that we see ourselves as unworthy servants and just give up and quit trying to obey. Big or small, we have all failed our God and we need his grace to be forgiven and made right with him. So we just keep learning and obeying.
Heavenly Father I am so thankful for your marvelous grace that you have shown in forgiving me but also in helping me each day to be molded more into your likeness. Give me a heart of obedience and also a willingness to admit when I am wrong. I need your continued forgiveness and your strength. Create in me a pure heart like that of King David who always sought to do your will. Please extend your mercy and put a stop to the COVID-19 virus and give healing to those who are infected and peace to those who are grieving. I pray in Jesus name.
Robert
