Daily Devotionals
Daily Devotional: Psalms 35:10-18
Ps 35:10-18
My whole being will exclaim, "Who is like you, O LORD? You rescue the poor from those too strong for them, the poor and needy from those who rob them." Ruthless witnesses come forward; they question me on things I know nothing about. They repay me evil for good and leave my soul forlorn. Yet when they were ill, I put on sackcloth and humbled myself with fasting. When my prayers returned to me unanswered, I went about mourning as though for my friend or brother. I bowed my head in grief as though weeping for my mother. But when I stumbled, they gathered in glee; attackers gathered against me when I was unaware. They slandered me without ceasing. Like the ungodly they maliciously mocked; they gnashed their teeth at me. O Lord, how long will you look on? Rescue my life from their ravages, my precious life from these lions. I will give you thanks in the great assembly; among throngs of people I will praise you.
2 Cor 1:3-4
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.
I am about to reveal a major life truth to you: Life is not fair! One of the most unfair things that happens to us is when we try to show love, we try to do good, we look out for others, only to find they are the ones working against us or they show no appreciation for our efforts. Nothing hurts more than extending love to someone, only to be snubbed or treated wrongly. How should we react?
There has never been greater love shown for anyone than the love that God has shown for you and me. He gave the world the gift of his Son, but not so he could make a lot of friends. He gave his Son to be the substitute sacrifice for your sin and for mine. Jesus died for me! That is love! Do we show him love in return? As his children, do we show his love to others – even when they don’t love us back, and even when they treat us unfairly? God’s love is not conditional, and neither should our love be conditional. Love demands that we have patience and that we extend forgiveness, even when it is not asked for or accepted.
O Lord my God, I stand in awe of your love, of your patience, of your forgiveness, when I do not deserve it. Help me imitate you so I will be kind and compassionate to others, forgiving them, just as in Christ you have forgiven me. Keep me from being despondent or selfish, and from being rude or hurtful. Teach me to guard my lips to say only that which will build up others and honor you. Give your peace and your healing to those who are hurting and sick. I pray in Jesus name.
Robert
