Daily Devotionals
Daily Devotional: Psalms 25:16-22
Ps 25:16-22
Turn to me and be gracious to me, for I am lonely and afflicted. The troubles of my heart have multiplied; free me from my anguish. Look upon my affliction and my distress and take away all my sins. See how my enemies have increased and how fiercely they hate me! Guard my life and rescue me; let me not be put to shame, for I take refuge in you. May integrity and uprightness protect me because my hope is in you. Redeem Israel, O God, from all their troubles!
Rev 8:2-4
And I saw the seven angels who stand before God, and to them were given seven trumpets. Another angel, who had a golden censer, came, and stood at the altar. He was given much incense to offer, with the prayers of all the saints, on the golden altar before the throne. The smoke of the incense, together with the prayers of the saints, went up before God from the angel's hand.
Without getting into the specifics about the Revelation or its meaning, we see in this passage the many prayers being offered for us here on earth. Not only do we pray for each other and these prayers go before God, but the heavenly beings around the throne are also injecting their prayers on our behalf.
What a blessing to know that whatever happens to us, no matter how dark the way may seem, even when unexplainable, or unfair, God knows our plight and Jesus sees our problems and they are working all of this for our ultimate good. Each trial we endure, draws us closer to him and brings glory to God.
The darkest night we face in life is when we have given in to that temptation that we have tried so hard to avoid and to overcome. We are overwhelmed with guilt and we know that we have ruined our relationship with God. As David, when confronted with his sin against Uriah, we admit it and we turn from it, asking God to forgive us. It is then that we know the peace of God that comes by his grace.
Our hope is in the Lord. Jesus is our brother who will hold our hand as we take each step along the pathway of life today. He is our friend, the one who always listens to us and is always there for us. He is our Savior, who has provided the way for our sin to be forgiven. He is our Redeemer, bringing us into the family of God.
Heavenly Father, what an honor to be your child and to know Jesus as my brother and as my dearest friend! Thank you for your love, a love that is beyond my ability to comprehend. Thank you for the peace you give me, even in the difficult times, when it seems that life has crashed in all around me. Give me your wisdom from above so I know how to live for you. Empower me to do your will at all times and in all things. For those who are broken, who are anxious, who are sick, who are abused, who are afraid, give them your peace. I pray in the name of Jesus.
Robert
