Daily Devotionals
Daily Devotional: Psalms 32:1-5
Ps 32:1-5
Blessed is he whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. Blessed is the man whose sin the LORD does not count against him and in whose spirit is no deceit. When I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long. For day and night your hand was heavy upon me; my strength was sapped as in the heat of summer. Selah Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity. I said, "I will confess my transgressions to the LORD"--and you forgave the guilt of my sin. Selah
Heb 10:8-10
First, he said, "Sacrifices and offerings, burnt offerings and sin offerings you did not desire, nor were you pleased with them" (although the law required them to be made). Then he said, "Here I am, I have come to do your will." He sets aside the first to establish the second. And by that will, we have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.
Rom 4:3-5
What does the Scripture say? "Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness." Now when a man works, his wages are not credited to him as a gift, but as an obligation. However, to the man who does not work but trusts God who justifies the wicked, his faith is credited as righteousness.
We are not under the Old Testament Law where sacrifices had to be made daily, weekly, monthly, and annually. We are not justified by keeping the Law or even parts of it (like the 10 Commandments) because this Law was replaced with the law of liberty. This law of liberty is based on the grace of God, and it is accepted by our faith in Jesus as the risen Son of God. His sacrifice for us is good for all time.
While we do not earn our salvation or do good works to obtain it, Paul says we are created in Christ Jesus to do good works. The works come as a result of our being saved and becoming a new person in Christ. This new person is developed and matures as we allow the Spirit to work in us and to grow his fruit in us. The grace of God causes us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires while we practice godliness as we live self-controlled and upright lives in Christ.
O Lord my God, I often look around me and see all the things in your creation, and I stand in awe and wonder at your marvelous wisdom that is shown, your power that is so obvious, and your mercy, even for the animals in the woods. Thank you for the beautiful flowers, for the birds that sing and that soar, and for the trees that show us the cycle of life. Thank you for each person you have put into my life over the years. Help me be a friend to others and show them the love of Jesus. Be with those who are sick and struggling. I humbly pray in the name of Jesus.
Robert
