Daily Devotionals
Daily Devotional: Psalms 58:1-11
Ps 58:1-11
Do you rulers indeed speak justly? Do you judge uprightly among men? No, in your heart you devise injustice, and your hands mete out violence on the earth. Even from birth the wicked go astray; from the womb they are wayward and speak lies. Their venom is like the venom of a snake, like that of a cobra that has stopped its ears, that will not heed the tune of the charmer, however skillful the enchanter may be. Break the teeth in their mouths, O God; tear out, O LORD, the fangs of the lions! Let them vanish like water that flows away; when they draw the bow, let their arrows be blunted. Like a slug melting away as it moves along, like a stillborn child, may they not see the sun. Before your pots can feel the heat of the thorns--whether they be green or dry--the wicked will be swept away. The righteous will be glad when they are avenged, when they bathe their feet in the blood of the wicked. Then men will say, "Surely the righteous still are rewarded; surely there is a God who judges the earth."
Gal 6:7-8
Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. The one who sows to please the flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.
This is just another way of saying that what goes around comes around. King Ahab held the distinction of being the most wicked king in Israel. He led the people even farther astray when he introduced Baal worship and refused to listen to God. God showed his mercy by sending multiple prophets to him, performing miracles all around him, giving him victory over his enemies at times, but he still hardened his heart and refused to serve God. After his death, his entire family was destroyed.
God will punish the wicked – their day will come. But he wants everyone to be saved and to live with him in eternity. There is not anyone who is so wicked that God does not want them to repent and live for him. The same sacrifice of love was given for Judas and the Roman soldiers who killed Jesus, that was given for Peter and for you and me. This means we need to share the gospel with anyone who will listen. The worse the sinner, the more they need the good news of Jesus.
Father God, glorious and majestic, how wonderful is your name in all the earth. It is you who made me and you gave me life. I know that I have often made a mess of my life because I take my eyes off of Jesus. You have been and are always merciful and forgiving to me. Instill in me a pure heart that wants to be just like Jesus in every way. Give me a steadfast spirit so I will always do the right thing and always follow your will. Use me to be kind and to give cheer, to encourage and lift someone who is down and feeling alone. I pray in the name of Jesus.
Robert
