Daily Devotionals
Daily Devotional: Psalms 38:18-22
Ps 38:18-22
I confess my iniquity; I am troubled by my sin. Many are those who are my vigorous enemies; those who hate me without reason are numerous. Those who repay my good with evil slander me when I pursue what is good. O LORD do not forsake me; be not far from me, O my God. Come quickly to help me, O Lord my Savior.
1 John 1:8-10
If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word has no place in our lives.
Picture yourself swimming in a huge body of water, no sense of direction because the skies are black, without even a star, and no idea how deep the water may be, but too deep to touch the bottom. The waves are coming, but not high enough to keep you from treading water, even though occasionally you go under and wonder if you will ever breath again. You surface one more time.
This is exactly how many people feel in their lives every moment of every day. It seems to be almost hopeless because there is no end in sight. The pain is always with them, be it mental pain, emotional pain, physical pain, or any other pain, it does not matter, it still hurts the same. When they talk to others, they feel as if they are invisible because there seems to be no real concern, or even worse, they want to blame the one who is hurting. No wonder so many turn to suicide!
Paul describes those who are without God and who are lost in this world, and then he says: “but God”. This is the answer. The children of Israel stood at the Red Sea with water in front and the approaching army of Egypt coming from behind and it was hopeless. But God parted the water. The Samaritan woman was in a hopeless spiral in her life, but Jesus appeared and gave her abundant life. Sarah had wanted a baby for many years but finally because of her age it was hopeless. But God gave her Isaac and because his promise was fulfilled, we have received Jesus. This is why Paul says for us to not worry about anything, the Lord is near!
O Lord God, what a joy to be a part of your family and to know that whatever I face, you are with me and will always be near to me. Lord, you have delivered me from so many things in my life, so many times that I felt nothing but despair and saw no sign of hope. Yet, you were there and you rescued me from the darkness all around me. Increase my faith. Give me wisdom. Instill me with your strength. Give me patience. Overflow my heart with compassion, mercy, and love. Make me a servant as I help others live for you. I pray in the name of Jesus.
Robert
