Daily Devotionals
Daily Devotional: Psalms 44:9-16
Ps 44:9-16
9 But now you have rejected and humbled us; you no longer go out with our armies. 10 You made us retreat before the enemy, and our adversaries have plundered us. 11 You gave us up to be devoured like sheep and have scattered us among the nations. 12 You sold your people for a pittance, gaining nothing from their sale. 13 You have made us a reproach to our neighbors, the scorn and derision of those around us. 14 You have made us a byword among the nations; the peoples shake their heads at us. 15 My disgrace is before me all day long, and my face is covered with shame 16 at the taunts of those who reproach and revile me, because of the enemy, who is bent on revenge.
2 Thess 2:8-12
9 The coming of the lawless one will be in accordance with the work of Satan displayed in all kinds of counterfeit miracles, signs and wonders, 10 and in every sort of evil that deceives those who are perishing. They perish because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. 11 For this reason God sends them a powerful delusion so that they will believe the lie 12 and so that all will be condemned who have not believed the truth but have delighted in wickedness.
It is not my intent to get into any kind of political discussion or to try to decide the right and wrong of any medical information being given out. But whatever we face in life is under the control of God, even when it is being done by Satan. All evil is from the power and influence of the devil and is used by him to win us from our service to God. I do not know of anything in my lifetime that has had more of an adverse effect on the people of God than has the COVID virus.
In my discussions with various preachers and church leaders (not just from the church of Christ but many religious groups), it seems that most churches are down in number in the last year and a half. Most are reporting twenty to forty percent decline, with only one person telling of a group that is up in number.
Satan is at work and has won far too many battles among the people of God. We must use this disease to strengthen our faith and our commitment in our service to him. It should build our faith and renew our love for God and for each other as we seek opportunities to help others and strengthen their faith also.
Heavenly Father I am thankful that you have revealed the end before it comes and have promised the victory over Satan in the resurrection of Jesus. Help me stay on your side, no matter what I face in this life. Help me use every adversity that comes to make my faith stronger and my love more fervent. Be with your people, wherever they are, that we will trust you and not live in fear of anything in the physical world. In the name of Jesus my Savior and my friend I pray.
Robert
