Daily Devotionals
Daily Devotional: Psalms 149:1-9
Ps 149:1-9
1 Praise the LORD. Sing to the LORD a new song, his praise in the assembly of the saints. 2 Let Israel rejoice in their Maker; let the people of Zion be glad in their King. 3 Let them praise his name with dancing and make music to him with tambourine and harp. 4 For the LORD takes delight in his people; he crowns the humble with salvation. 5 Let the saints rejoice in this honor and sing for joy on their beds. 6 May the praise of God be in their mouths and a double-edged sword in their hands, 7 to inflict vengeance on the nations and punishment on the peoples, 8 to bind their kings with fetters, their nobles with shackles of iron, 9 to carry out the sentence written against them. This is the glory of all his saints. Praise the LORD.
1 Thess 5:15-18
15 Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always try to be kind to each other and to everyone else. 16 Be joyful always; 17 pray continually; 18 give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.
When I read this Psalm, I have to be impressed the with dedication to God and the trust shown to him. Unfortunately, instead of thinking about Christians (in general) it brings to mind a religion of those who would stop what they are doing every day at prayer time and pray. Or who are willing to go to war because some newspaper editor printed a cartoon making fun of their god. No matter how wrong I may believe them to be, I have to admire their faith and dedication.
God has promised that we will be taken care of in every circumstance if we put our trust in him. He will subdue our enemies and give us the victory over sin and all evil. We have the assurance that we will never face a problem that is more than we can conquer when we use the power he gives us, that is, the power of the Holy Spirit in us. He will give us the ability to do more than we ever ask or can even imagine. This is why he says we are to worry about nothing and we are to pray about everything. We can trust God because his word is sure and true.
Heavenly Father increase my faith. Take away my doubts, my fears, my worries and all that would distract me from serving you and depending on you in every part of my life. I thank you and I praise you for all you do for me and I know that the anxieties I allow to overtake me are under your control so I have no reason to be anxious. Forgive me for worrying when I do and remind me that you have it all under control, even when I cannot see what you are doing. Thank you for using what seemed at the time, some of the worst things possible, for my good and my spiritual growth. Help me use each trial I face to better serve others. Take away all fear from your people, wherever they are. I pray in the name of Jesus.
Robert
