Daily Devotionals
Daily Devotional: Psalms 69:19-28
Ps 69:19-28
You know how I am scorned, disgraced, and shamed; all my enemies are before you. Scorn has broken my heart and has left me helpless; I looked for sympathy, but there was none, for comforters, but I found none. They put gall in my food and gave me vinegar for my thirst. May the table set before them become a snare; may it become retribution and a trap. May their eyes be darkened so they cannot see, and their backs be bent forever. Pour out your wrath on them; let your fierce anger overtake them. May their place be deserted; let there be no one to dwell in their tents. For they persecute those you wound and talk about the pain of those you hurt. Charge them with crime upon crime; do not let them share in your salvation. May they be blotted out of the book of life and not be listed with the righteous.
Matt 26:31-35
Then Jesus told them, "This very night you will all fall away on account of me, for it is written: "'I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.' But after I have risen, I will go ahead of you into Galilee." Peter replied, "Even if all fall away on account of you, I never will." "I tell you the truth," Jesus answered, "this very night, before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times." But Peter declared, "Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you." And all the other disciples said the same.
And you know the rest of the story. Jesus was arrested and they all fled. But Peter followed at a distance and eventually found himself among the accusers, where he denied that he even knew the Lord. But Peter returned and served Jesus.
Put yourself in the shoes of Jesus. He had spent three years getting these men ready and now when he needed them the most, one betrayed him, one denied him, and all the others deserted him. It is no wonder that God sent an angel to strengthen Jesus as he prayed in the garden. He faced insurmountable odds.
So it is, when we face these obstacles, the Holy Spirit will give us the strength we need to get through it. Just like Jesus was raised, we too will be raised up from our bed of trials and there will be sunshine again. When we, like Peter, fail, we can come back to Jesus and serve him. He will always accept us and forgive us.
O Lord God, thank you for being with me, even when it seems that all of my friends have left me. When life seems hard and I get down in the dumps, you are there to hold my hand and take me through. Increase my faith, lift my spirits, and fill me with the joy of Jesus in my heart. Help me accomplish your tasks today and bring honor to your name. O Lord, be with our nation and deliver us from the evil that pervades and is trying to take it over. I pray in the name of your Son.
Robert
