Daily Devotionals
Daily Devotional: Psalms 142:1-7
Ps 142:1-7
I cry aloud to the LORD; I lift up my voice to the LORD for mercy. I pour out my complaint before him; before him I tell my trouble. When my spirit grows faint within me, it is you who know my way. In the path where I walk men have hidden a snare for me. Look to my right and see; no one is concerned for me. I have no refuge; no one cares for my life. I cry to you, O LORD; I say, "You are my refuge, my portion in the land of the living." Listen to my cry, for I am in desperate need; rescue me from those who pursue me, for they are too strong for me. Set me free from my prison, that I may praise your name. Then the righteous will gather about me because of your goodness to me.
1 Thess 5:15-18
Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always try to be kind to each other and to everyone else. Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.
When we depend on God, our lives will all work out for his glory. That does not mean that we will never suffer or that we will not have “bad” things happen to us (as we define good and bad). But in the end, we will be with him in glory and we will be free from the pain and suffering that we know in this life.
But even now, in this life, we will be honored by good people and we will be respected by most, even those who outwardly do not show appreciation for us and our beliefs. Most people know right from wrong and they respect that which is right and the people who are willing to stand on their principles. Their dislike is because our convictions and our righteousness exposes their ungodliness.
This is why Jesus said we are to let our lights shine before men, so they will see our good works and glorify the Father who is in heaven. But it is the same reason that he said that the people of this world would hate us, because our good works make them uncomfortable because of their ungodly lives and also because they are jealous that we are willing to stand for what we believe to be right.
O Lord God, please be with our nation and with our leaders. Guide them to make decisions based on respect for you and your word. Help the people of this nation to be able to live in peace with each other. Give your people the willingness to reach out to those who are lost and to be willing to share your good news with them so they will want to come to Jesus and to serve you in him. Please give your healing to those who are sick, to those taking treatments and give your peace to all who are hurting and suffering. Help me be a source of joy to all those around me each day. Give me wisdom and strength to accomplish what you want me to accomplish today, as I trust totally in you. I pray in the name of Jesus.
Robert
