Daily Devotionals
Daily Devotional: Psalms 7:10-17
Ps 7:10-17
My shield is God Most High, who saves the upright in heart. God is a righteous judge, a God who expresses his wrath every day. If he does not relent, he will sharpen his sword; he will bend and string his bow. He has prepared his deadly weapons; he makes ready his flaming arrows. He who is pregnant with evil and conceives trouble gives birth to disillusionment. He who digs a hole and scoops it out falls into the pit he has made. The trouble he causes recoils on himself; his violence comes down on his own head. I will give thanks to the LORD because of his righteousness and will sing praise to the name of the LORD Most High.
Gal 6:7-9
Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. (ESV)
When we read the Bible (especially the Old Testament), we see a principle that is given over and over. This truth is that when we serve God, he will take care of us and he will bless us, but when we turn from him and we do not trust him to lead us, he will turn from us. The Israelites never learned this lesson, so they ended up dividing into two nations and then both of them going into captivity.
There was a beautiful song a few years back entitled “The White Cliffs of Dover” that suggested that everything will be all right with all of us because God will show his love by saving everyone. The idea is that we all sin but that is ok since God is merciful and he will allow everyone to have eternal life. But this is wrong.
God does love us. He is a God of mercy. He does extend his grace to all mankind, but while his love and compassion are unconditional, his mercy and his grace are dependent on our willingness to trust him enough to obey him.
“Obedience” is not a dirty word. True obedience is the result of saving faith. If we really trust God, we want to please him and we want to follow his will. And why not? He knows and wants what is best for us, both now and in eternity. He gives us an abundant life in Jesus Christ, right now, here on earth. He guards us and protects us from evil. He gives us joy and peace that is incomprehensible.
Lord God, giver of life and sustainer of all good things, it is such a privilege to be your child and to be able to follow your will for my life. I do not know where we are going from day to day, but what a ride you have given me so far! Help me show my love to you by doing my very best to be like Jesus in all I do and say. Use me to help others as I show your love to them. Give your hope to the depressed and your peace to those who are hurting. Be with all of your children that we can know how to preserve the unity of your Spirit. I pray in the name of Jesus.
Robert
