Daily Devotionals
Daily Devotional: Psalms 74:1-9
Ps 74:1-9
Why have you rejected us forever, O God? Why does your anger smolder against the sheep of your pasture? Remember the people you purchased of old, the tribe of your inheritance, whom you redeemed — Mount Zion, where you dwelt. Turn your steps toward these everlasting ruins, all this destruction the enemy has brought on the sanctuary. Your foes roared in the place where you met with us; they set up their standards as signs. They behaved like men wielding axes to cut through a thicket of trees. They smashed all the carved paneling with their axes and hatchets. They burned your sanctuary to the ground; they defiled the dwelling place of your Name. They said in their hearts, "We will crush them completely!" They burned every place where God was worshiped in the land. We are given no miraculous signs; no prophets are left, and none of us knows how long this will be.
Phil 4:4-5
Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.
Over my lifetime my wife and I have faced some pretty severe trials. We have faced the wrath of people who sought to destroy my effectiveness as a preacher, because I did not agree with them. We have faced financial losses and dealt with the pain of death in our families. On more than one occasion we waited to see if the other would be alive the next day. But God has always seen us through.
As bad as all of this seems, it really does not compare with the problems of those who cannot meet to worship without the reality that someone may come and injure, kill or arrest them for their faith. It is not close to what some believers face every day when they try to find enough food for their family and themselves, due to the drought or famine or just the abject poverty that is the norm for them. We have never had to worry about our internet being monitored so that if we had too much “God, Bible, or Christianity” we would be questioned and persecuted.
I (and most of you) are blessed beyond our understanding. Remember those who are not and do what you can to help them. Most of all, pray for them daily.
O Lord God, I am so thankful for all you have given me. Thank you for allowing me to be born to the parents you gave me, in the place and time where I live today. I ask you to please be with those who are not given these privileges and strengthen their faith as they look to you for protection. Open my eyes to see when I can help them with what you have given me. Keep me from being selfish so I will use all you have given me to your glory. Fill me with your love so that I will love you with all my heart, soul, and mind and love others as myself. I pray in Jesus’ name.
Robert
