Daily Devotionals
Daily Devotional: Psalms 68:1-6
Ps 68:1-6
May God arise, may his enemies be scattered; may his foes flee before him. As smoke is blown away by the wind, may you blow them away; as wax melts before the fire, may the wicked perish before God. But may the righteous be glad and rejoice before God; may they be happy and joyful. Sing to God, sing praise to his name, extol him who rides on the clouds--his name is the LORD--and rejoice before him. A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in his holy dwelling. God sets the lonely in families, he leads forth the prisoners with singing; but the rebellious live in a sun-scorched land.
1 Thess 5:16-24
Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. Do not put out the Spirit's fire; do not treat prophecies with contempt. Test everything. Hold on to the good. Avoid every kind of evil. May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The one who calls you is faithful and he will do it.
Jesus said we are to take up his cross daily and follow him. On another occasion, he said that we are not to worry about what might happen because each day has enough trouble of its own. We are to live one day at a time. We face each trial as it comes and we climb only one mountain at a time. It is a waste of time to live in the past because it is gone forever. And we cannot live tomorrow until it arrives.
Jesus also teaches in several parables that we are to make preparations for the future. We always live each day, making the most of each opportunity, and also using each moment to help us be ready to meet the Lord and live with him. While we do not worry about tomorrow, we are not to forget that there will be a day of judgment and we will give an account of our lives. We keep our eyes on Jesus.
Judgment day is not a day for us to fear, but it will be a day of victory for all who love the Lord and have been cleansed by his blood. This is why we live for him and we open our hearts for him to live in us. God has promised to receive his own and he is faithful, so he will do it. What a blessing to be in Christ, a child of God.
O Lord God, thank you for your saving grace in Jesus Christ. Thank you for the love you have shown to me in more ways than I can even know. I know that you are with me every day and that you watch over me each moment. You are faithful and always keep your word, so help me be faithful and keep my eyes on Jesus and keep seeking the things above, where he is seated at your right hand. Lord, be with my family, and use each of us in your service. Give wisdom to the leaders of our nation so that we can live in peace. I pray to you in the name of Jesus.
Robert
