Daily Devotionals
Daily Devotional: Psalms 4:1-8
Ps 4:1-8
Answer me when I call to you, O my righteous God. Give me relief from my distress; be merciful to me and hear my prayer. How long, O men, will you turn my glory into shame? How long will you love delusions and seek false gods? Selah Know that the LORD has set apart the godly for himself; the LORD will hear when I call to him. In your anger do not sin, when you are on your beds, search your hearts and be silent. Selah Offer right sacrifices and trust in the LORD. Many are asking, "Who can show us any good?" Let the light of your face shine upon us, O LORD. You have filled my heart with greater joy than when their grain and new wine abound. I will lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety.
James 5:7-9
Be patient, then, brothers, until the Lord's coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop and how patient he is for the autumn and spring rains. You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord's coming is near. Don't grumble against each other, brothers, or you will be judged. The Judge is standing at the door!
The prophet told King Asa that when we are with the Lord, he is with us. James said that if draw near to God, he will draw near to us. The supreme service that we can offer to God is our complete trust and devotion. Since this is from the heart, we too often measure faith (both ours and others) by works, actions and deeds. While faith will result in deeds, the correlation is not always in exact proportions. But God knows the heart and how much we trust him.
This is why we are told to not judge each other. But it is easy to make myself feel better and more righteous when I look at the weakness of others. It is easy for me to even overlook my own faults when they are not as bad as those of others (or at least, that is how I see them). The Lord knows those who are his.
The more we encourage others, the less we will criticize them. The more we give thanks to God, the less we will complain. The more we compliment the good we see in others, the less we will see their faults. The more we give, the more we get.
Lord, you alone are God. You give me life and breath. You have given me the ability to think, to reason, to love and to feel your love. Strengthen my faith so I will see only the good in those around me and see my own faults more clearly. Use me to encourage others and to lift them up. Give me greater wisdom so I will allow you to mold me into your image, more and more each day. There are so many who are suffering from so many things; physically, mentally, emotionally, and socially. Bless each one with your care. I pray in Jesus name.
Robert
