Daily Devotionals
Daily Devotional: Psalms 139:19-24
Ps 139:19-24
19 If only you would slay the wicked, O God! Away from me, you bloodthirsty men! 20 They speak of you with evil intent; your adversaries misuse your name. 21 Do I not hate those who hate you, O LORD, and abhor those who rise up against you? 22 I have nothing but hatred for them; I count them my enemies. 23 Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. 24 See if there is any offensive way in me and lead me in the way everlasting.
2 Tim 3:12-15
12 In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, 13 while evil men and impostors will go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. 14 But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, 15 and how from infancy you have known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.
Wouldn’t it be great if everyone wanted to serve God and put their faith in Jesus Christ?! If everyone had a pure heart and only wanted what was best and good for everyone else it would sure make life a lot easier. But in the words of the old country boy: “it ain’t gonna happen!” There are enemies of Christ all around.
Paul advises us to be at peace with everyone, as much as it depends on us. This means there will be some with whom we can never have peace. I recently had an email confrontation, with a person whom I have never met, about abortion and gay rights as well as some political differences. I tried to be nice and polite but because I did not agree with her, she said she would take me off her list and I would not hear from her again. It is possible to disagree but not be disagreeable.
But sin should be repugnant to us. When someone uses the name of God in vain, it should send a chill down our spine. When people disregard God and his word, we should find that truly offensive. There are times when we need to stand up for what is right and defend the name of Jesus Christ as our Lord and the sacredness of the name of our God. As righteous Lot was vexed daily by the sin of Sodom, we should be troubled by the sin in America and in the world today.
Heavenly Father I am thankful for your love and for the revelation of your will in the sacred scriptures. Thank you for giving me parents who loved you and who did all they could to teach me your ways and to respect your word. I know that I have failed them in many ways, and in so doing, I have failed you also. Thank you for being willing to forgive me and pick me up again. Help me learn from each mistake, each time I sin, and every temptation I face in life. Give me a pure heart and strength to overcome all evil. I humbly pray in the name of Jesus.
Robert
