Daily Devotionals
Daily Devotional: Psalms 73:8-14
Ps 73:8-14
They scoff, and speak with malice; in their arrogance they threaten oppression. Their mouths lay claim to heaven, and their tongues take possession of the earth. Therefore their people turn to them and drink up waters in abundance. They say, "How can God know? Does the Most High have knowledge?" This is what the wicked are like — always carefree, they increase in wealth. Surely in vain have I kept my heart pure; in vain have I washed my hands in innocence. All day long I have been plagued; I have been punished every morning.
Matt 27:19
While Pilate was sitting on the judge's seat, his wife sent him this message: "Don't have anything to do with that innocent man, for I have suffered a great deal today in a dream because of him."
There is nothing quite as good as being able to get a good night of restful sleep, without tossing and turning all night. There is nothing that will keep one awake more than a guilty conscience. Many who seem to be living in a bed of roses and seem to have life made, are tossing and turning all night because they know they are living in sin, or they know that all of their family has turned against them.
When we serve God, we may will face problems and life will have difficulties. He has never promised to take away all of our sickness or hardships. He has promised to give us grace and strength to bear our problems, and he has promised to use them for our good. These things will make us stronger and equip us to help others who face similar things in their lives. Serving God will be challenging at times.
This is why we are told to focus on the things above, where Jesus is seated at the right hand of God. He lives forever, interceding for us to the Father. He has faced everything we face in life, so he understands how we feel and what we are going through. He has been tempted just like we are tempted. He lost loved ones, and he suffered pain. Yet, in all of this, he never wavered or lost his faith in God.
He understood that life is about the hereafter, not this earth. We are just here for a short time, getting ready for eternity with him. We must keep our eyes on the goal, and not let the storms of life deter us from walking on the water with Jesus.
O Lord God, what a blessing to know the end of the story while we are going through the middle of the storms of life. Thank you for revealing to us that in Jesus we can have eternal life and know that he will walk with us each day, here on earth. Thank you for your forgiveness so we can rest at night with a clear conscience, knowing we are right with you. Give your peace to those who are suffering and struggling. Use me to help them be stronger in their faith. Be with the leaders of our nation so I can live in peace. I pray in Jesus’s name.
Robert
