Daily Devotionals
Daily Devotional: Psalms 37:18-24
Ps 37:18-24
18 The days of the blameless are known to the LORD, and their inheritance will endure forever. 19 In times of disaster they will not wither; in days of famine they will enjoy plenty. 20 But the wicked will perish: The LORD's enemies will be like the beauty of the fields, they will vanish--vanish like smoke. 21 The wicked borrow and do not repay, but the righteous give generously; 22 those the LORD blesses will inherit the land, but those he curses will be cut off. 23 If the LORD delights in a man's way, he makes his steps firm; 24 though he stumble, he will not fall, for the LORD upholds him with his hand.
James 1:26-27
26 If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not keep a tight rein on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless. 27 Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.
When we seek to become like God, to be like Jesus, we find our hearts filled with compassion and we become the champion of the underdog, the downtrodden and those who need help. I am not talking about giving to the professional beggars or those who refuse to work when able. Also, helping and giving is not always about money. It is about giving of ourselves and our time.
We live in a time of social media, cell phones and many other connecting devices but we also live in a time when there seems to be more lonely people than ever before. It is like walking down a crowed sidewalk where we do not know anyone and even though there are people all around, we are all alone. There is no amount of money that would mean as much to many who are home bound or who are in various homes as a visit by someone who cares.
As a child of God, we are never alone. Jesus is our friend and our brother and he will never leave our side. But one of the ways he makes his presence known is by using us to help others. “Christ has no hands but our hands, no feet but our feet, to do his will today.” That one short visit or that phone call with a human voice may be just what someone needs to make it through another day.
Heavenly Father I am so thankful for your love for me and for all you do for me each day. Thank you for keeping me safe and for your constant protection. Open my eyes to see the opportunities you give me to help others and to encourage those who are weak or who are lonely. Help me do better and forgive me for all the times I have failed in this. Let me never forget that all I have and all I am is by your grace and not my own doing. Keep me from being selfish. I ask a special blessing on your people in Zimbabwe Africa. I humbly pray in Jesus name.
Robert
