Daily Devotionals
Daily Devotional: Psalms 126:1-6
Ps 126:1-6
When the LORD brought back the captives to Zion, we were like men who dreamed. Our mouths were filled with laughter, our tongues with songs of joy. Then it was said among the nations, "The LORD has done great things for them." The LORD has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy. Restore our fortunes, O LORD, like streams in the Negev. Those who sow in tears will reap with songs of joy. He who goes out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with him.
Eph 2:3-7
All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of the flesh and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature objects of wrath. But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions-it is by grace you have been saved. And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus.
Just as the children of Israel had reason to rejoice when freed from captivity, so we today have even more reason to rejoice when we have been freed from the bondage of sin. The Lord has done great things for us! There is freedom in Christ and as his family, we can enjoy this freedom as we live for him. We live with the promise of eternal life in his presence. We live without the guilt that plagues so many who do not know Jesus. In him, we are free from the law of sin and death.
We rejoice because he takes care of our needs. As we look back over our lives, we see the hand of God in so many ways as he has protected us from making wrong choices or when he has provided a way, even when we did not know how it could be done. We have felt his presence as he holds our hand or as he puts his arm around our shoulder and holds us close to him to give us his solace and peace. In Jesus we can find joy that the world does not know and peace that is beyond our understanding. Even now, we by faith can rest in the heavenly places with Christ, even as we daily become partakers of the divine nature.
Heavenly Father I am so thankful for your love, for your grace and the forgiveness that comes to me because of it. Lord, I want to be just like Jesus in every part of my life but I know that I fall so far short in so many ways. Please continue to forgive me but correct me and guide me in your path so that I do better each day, and therefore, draw closer to you. Use me to help others trust you and serve you in the midst of their struggles. Give your peace and healing to those who are sick, those who are hurting, and those who are struggling. In Jesus name.
Robert
