Daily Devotionals
Daily Devotional: Psalms 37:10-17
Ps 37:10-17
10 A little while, and the wicked will be no more; though you look for them, they will not be found. 11 But the meek will inherit the land and enjoy great peace. 12 The wicked plot against the righteous and gnash their teeth at them; 13 but the Lord laughs at the wicked, for he knows their day is coming. 14 The wicked draw the sword and bend the bow to bring down the poor and needy, to slay those whose ways are upright. 15 But their swords will pierce their own hearts, and their bows will be broken. 16 Better the little that the righteous have than the wealth of many wicked; 17 for the power of the wicked will be broken, but the LORD upholds the righteous.
1 Peter 3:13-15
13 Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? 14 But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. "Do not fear what they fear; do not be frightened." 15 But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have, doing this with gentleness and respect.
Peter wrote these words when many Christians were being persecuted and some being put to death for their faith in Christ. They were given a choice of confessing that “Jesus is Lord” and die or saying that “Caesar is Lord” and live. Peter had said earlier in this same letter that they would be persecuted and face all kinds of trials for their faith. He was seeing beyond this life and looking to the eternal.
So many people think they are above the law of God and that just because they see wicked people prosper that God will not judge them. We are reminded more than once that we are not to be deceived and also that we will reap what we sow in life. We just say that we are not to be fooled because what goes around, comes around. We may not see the end result but we can be sure it is coming.
…the Lord laughs at the wicked. This is not because sin is funny or because God does not care about those who are wicked. It is because they are showing their ignorance and foolishness because he knows their day is coming. But it does not come without warning. God has given his word to all mankind and has shown his love to everyone, giving us all an opportunity to be right with him in Christ.
O Lord God I am so thankful for your love shown to me in Jesus. I have faced a lot of troubles in my life and I am sure there are more to come. But as I face each new day, let me do so with a renewed commitment to trust you in it all. Give me wisdom to know your will and strength to carry it out in my life. Keep me from getting sidetracked with all the cares and things of this world. Help me use what you have given me to your glory. I humbly pray in the name of Jesus.
Robert
