Daily Devotionals
Daily Devotional: Psalms 17:6-12
Ps 17:6-12
I call on you, O God, for you will answer me; give ear to me and hear my prayer. Show the wonder of your great love, you who save by your right hand those who take refuge in you from their foes. Keep me as the apple of your eye; hide me in the shadow of your wings from the wicked who assail me, from my mortal enemies who surround me. They close up their callous hearts, and their mouths speak with arrogance. They have tracked me down, they now surround me, with eyes alert, to throw me to the ground. They are like a lion hungry for prey, like a great lion crouching in cover.
2 Cor 1:8-10a
We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about the hardships we suffered in the province of Asia. We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired even of life. Indeed, in our hearts we felt the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead. He has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us.
While I have never had anyone actually try to kill me (although my wife has probably wanted to at times, with cause), I have had fellow preachers who tried to get rid of me in my teaching capacity. One stated he would “destroy” me and the other declared he would “run me out of town.” Both of these men are now gone, and I am still preaching, even though from a different town.
We, like David and Paul, can face whatever opposition the devil throws at us and with the help and protection of God, we can be faithful and do his will. Paul says that all who will live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. But like Paul, we can use it to learn how to depend on God and let it grow our faith. John said: “Greater is He who is within you than he who is in the world.”
But when I look at all the trials I have faced in my life and I begin to compare them to David, as he was hunted by an army, or Paul who suffered more for Christ than I can even imagine, or Jesus who suffered for me to rid me of my sin, then I actually see how little I have suffered for Christ. No trial or suffering is pleasant, but we can thank God for each one as it makes us stronger and closer to him.
Heavenly Father, it is with some really bad memories but with thanksgiving that I recount some of my past and things that have happened to me. As I move on in life, help me put the unpleasant things behind me but never forget them when they can help me be closer to you and be stronger in your service. I am thankful that you have used me, you have delivered me, you have guided me, and you still continue to do all of these. May my dying breath be praise to you in Christ.
Robert
