Daily Devotionals
Daily Devotional: Psalms 37:1-6
Ps 37:1-6
Do not fret because of evil men or be envious of those who do wrong; for like the grass they will soon wither, like green plants they will soon die away. Trust in the LORD and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him and he will do this: He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn, the justice of your cause like the noonday sun.
Matt 5:1-6
Now when he saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, and he began to teach them, saying: "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
While I am not sure of the occasion of the writing of this Psalm, we have just studied the transition of the kingdom from David to Solomon and it fits what he said to his son as he began to reign. When Solomon dedicated the temple, he warned and encouraged the people to be fully devoted to the Lord and to put their trust in him and to follow his commandments. God had promised Moses and each generation thereafter, if they followed him and his laws, he would bless them and they would prosper, but if they did not, they would be punished.
Jesus told the woman at the well that true worship is in spirit and in truth. He is saying that our worship must be from the heart, and the place where we worship would not matter (Jerusalem, Samaria, or some other place). But being devoted to the Lord is much more than “going to church” or following some rituals. Every moment of every day that we are serving God, we are worshipping him.
When we meet with other Christians to worship, we are encouraged and since this is God’s idea and plan for us, it is important. But Jesus did not die on the cross so we could meet in a building to sing, to pray, or study the Bible. Jesus died so we can be counted righteous, and then become more like him in our thoughts and our priorities, so we live for him as we prepare to live with him in eternity.
Heavenly Father, I am so thankful that Jesus is my Savior and my Lord. Help me imitate him in every way I live my life. Thank you for all you have given me and done for me. Keep me from being selfish so I remember that all I have is from you and belongs to you. So, help me use all you have given me to bring honor to you as I serve you with all my heart. Lord, as I try to reach your goal of perfection, I know that I fail too often, so please forgive me, pick me up and give me strength to do better. Help me love, be kind and encourage. I pray in Jesus name.
Robert
