Daily Devotionals
Daily Devotional: Psalms 78:49-55
Ps 78:49-55
49 He unleashed against them [the Egyptians] his hot anger, his wrath, indignation and hostility--a band of destroying angels. 50 He prepared a path for his anger; he did not spare them from death but gave them over to the plague. 51 He struck down all the firstborn of Egypt, the firstfruits of manhood in the tents of Ham. 52 But he brought his people out like a flock; he led them like sheep through the desert. 53 He guided them safely, so they were unafraid; but the sea engulfed their enemies. 54 Thus he brought them to the border of his holy land, to the hill country his right hand had taken. 55 He drove out nations before them and allotted their lands to them as an inheritance; he settled the tribes of Israel in their homes.
God sent the plagues on Egypt and delivered his people from their bondage, just as he had promised Abraham many years before. The last of the plagues was the worst, when all the firstborn males of Egypt were put to death in one night. God had warned them and had tried to reason with Pharaoh but because of his rebellious heart, he refused to let the people go. But he could not fight God.
God wants us to be happy in life. He wants us to live in peace and enjoy being alive on earth. Even in our worst trials, we have reason to rejoice. The more we focus on the positive and good things in life, the happier we will be. But when we are constantly complaining and always seeing what is wrong and seeing the faults in others, we will be miserable. There is enough negative gunk in life to ruin the day of everyone alive. But we choose our attitudes and we can rejoice.
We can beat ourselves up over our past mistakes and our tendency to sin at times or our weaknesses or we can remember that in Christ all that is gone. As we set our hearts on serving the Lord and being all he wants us to become, we know, without a doubt, that he is continuing to forgive us and not a single sin is being held against us. Perhaps the greatest test of faith is accepting his forgiveness.
Most of us have bad days sometimes or we may suffer from varying degrees of depression. It is on these days that we need to focus on others who are hurting or who need our help. When we are down, we need to read about the glory of God and his promises to us. The more we get outside of self, the happier we become.
Heavenly Father it is such a joy to serve a living God and to know that you love me and want what is best for me. Help me focus on Jesus and on the things above and the home you have promised to me when I leave this life. Give me a listening ear along with a non-judgmental heart to help those who are hurting or who just need someone to whom they can pour out their heart. I am thankful for those who have been there for me in my bad times. I humbly pray in the name of Jesus.
Robert
