Daily Devotionals
Daily Devotional: Psalms 45:1-6
Ps 45:1-6
My heart is stirred by a noble theme as I recite my verses for the king; my tongue is the pen of a skillful writer. You are the most excellent of men and your lips have been anointed with grace, since God has blessed you forever. Gird your sword upon your side, O mighty one; clothe yourself with splendor and majesty. In your majesty ride forth victoriously in behalf of truth, humility and righteousness; let your right hand display awesome deeds. Let your sharp arrows pierce the hearts of the king's enemies; let the nations fall beneath your feet. Your throne, O God, will last for ever and ever; a scepter of justice will be the scepter of your kingdom.
John 18:36-37
Jesus said, "My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jews. But now my kingdom is from another place." "You are a king, then!" said Pilate. Jesus answered, "You are right in saying I am a king. In fact, for this reason I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me."
When the wise men came to see the baby Jesus, they asked Herod about the one who had been born to be a king. From this time on, the Jews and the Romans did not understand the nature of his kingdom. The Jewish leaders assumed that the coming king would sit on a throne in Jerusalem and throw off the rule of the Romans and defeat all the other nations around them. At the triumphal entry into Jerusalem, the people wanted to crown him king. At the last supper, his disciples were arguing about who would be greatest in the kingdom.
But in the eyes of God, there are only two kingdoms. There is the kingdom of light and the kingdom of darkness. Everyone either serves Jesus, the King of kings or they serve Satan who is the prince of darkness. The King of kings offers life eternal for the ones who serve him. The prince of darkness offers nothing but death, a forever separation from God. We need to get our eyes off of this world and set our priorities on the things above as we fight our daily spiritual battles. In Christ we can stand confidently and victoriously because he has defeated Satan.
O Lord God, giver of life and creator of all things, I am so thankful for Jesus and the way that he opened into heaven for those who are willing to follow him. It is such a joy to know that my sins are forgiven and continue to be forgiven as I seek to do your will. Thank you for your grace. Since I am saved by your grace and not by my own doing or my superior understanding, keep me from ever thinking that I am better than others who also need your grace. Use me to share the gospel with those who are lost. I humbly pray in the name of Jesus, my Lord and King.
Robert
