Daily Devotionals
Daily Devotional: Psalms 74:18-23
Ps 74:18-23
18 Remember how the enemy has mocked you, O LORD, how foolish people have reviled your name. 19 Do not hand over the life of your dove to wild beasts; do not forget the lives of your afflicted people forever. 20 Have regard for your covenant, because haunts of violence fill the dark places of the land. 21 Do not let the oppressed retreat in disgrace; may the poor and needy praise your name. 22 Rise up, O God, and defend your cause; remember how fools mock you all day long. 23 Do not ignore the clamor of your adversaries, the uproar of your enemies, which rises continually.
Phil 4:4-7
4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
When I was a kid growing up, the one Holiday that stood out in my mind was Thanksgiving. There were others that I looked forward to but on Thanksgiving my cousins would come from all over the country to our home. My dad was the oldest of his siblings and so he had the family get-together at our house.
It was truly a day of Thanksgiving! We ate (adults first and then the kids) and we played. We had no television, there was no black Friday, none of us hunted but we all enjoyed the family being together and getting to better know our cousins. But the emphasis was on the fact that God had made this all possible.
Most of us have been blessed beyond counting. Yes, we all have problems and we must face difficulties in life – some really bad and some just irritations, but we all have them. But even in the worst situations, we can be thankful to God for what he has done for us in Jesus Christ. The more we express our gratitude to God, the less we will be able to feel sorry for ourselves and the less we will complain about what others have. And the peace of God will guard your hearts and minds.
Heavenly Father I am so thankful for my family, as far as it extends. I am thankful for your spiritual family and all of my brothers and sister, wherever they are. For the many opportunities you have given me in my life, I praise you. You have lifted me from so many situations that seemed impossible at the time. Help me use everything that has happened in my life to be able to help others and to be able to see the opportunities to do so. Thank you for our nation and the freedoms we enjoy and for the opportunities this gives us to share your word. Most of all, I thank you for salvation in Jesus Christ. In His name I humbly pray.
Robert
