Daily Devotionals
Daily Devotional: Psalms 44:1-8
Ps 44:1-8
1 We have heard with our ears, O God; our fathers have told us what you did in their days, in days long ago. 2 With your hand you drove out the nations and planted our fathers; you crushed the peoples and made our fathers flourish. 3 It was not by their sword that they won the land, nor did their arm bring them victory; it was your right hand, your arm, and the light of your face, for you loved them. 4 You are my King and my God, who decrees victories for Jacob. 5 Through you we push back our enemies; through your name we trample our foes. 6 I do not trust in my bow, my sword does not bring me victory; 7 but you give us victory over our enemies, you put our adversaries to shame. 8 In God we make our boast all day long, and we will praise your name forever. Selah
2 Thess 1:11-12
11 With this in mind, we constantly pray for you, that our God may count you worthy of his calling, and that by his power he may fulfill every good purpose of yours and every act prompted by your faith. 12 We pray this so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.
What a joy to serve God! This is especially true when things seem to be going our way and we are living in prosperity. When our friends bless us and we have peace on every side, it is easy to give God the glory. But do we find joy in serving him when things are not going our way? When we are faced with trials and on every hand, we are maligned for our faith, do we rejoice in the Lord?
The apostle Paul compares the relationship of Christ and the church to that of the husband and wife in marriage. In a traditional marriage ceremony, we say we will be true to each other and hold to each other, for better or for worse. For all who have been married for any length of time, we know that the “worse” times come along with the “better” times. But it is in being faithful in the bad times that we learn to really love and appreciate each other in the good times. Adversity builds strength in our marriage relationships and so it is with our service to God. When we are faced with trials and we overcome, our faith grows and our love for God is multiplied. In turn, we learn to rejoice in the Lord, even in the worst of times.
O Lord, my Lord and my God, I am so thankful that I can stand on Jesus, the rock of my salvation and I can depend on your faithfulness, no matter what I face. Let me use whatever I face in life to be drawn closer to you and to make my faith stronger. Give me a joyful heart and a loving spirit. I ask a special blessing on those who have a heavy heart because of the circumstances in their lives. Give them your peace as they rely on you. I humbly pray in the name of Jesus.
Robert
