Daily Devotionals
Daily Devotional: Psalms 78:32-39
Ps 78:32-39
In spite of all this, they kept on sinning; in spite of his wonders, they did not believe. So, he ended their days in futility and their years in terror. Whenever God slew them, they would seek him; they eagerly turned to him again. They remembered that God was their Rock, that God Most High was their Redeemer. But then they would flatter him with their mouths, lying to him with their tongues; their hearts were not loyal to him, they were not faithful to his covenant. Yet he was merciful; he forgave their iniquities and did not destroy them. Time after time he restrained his anger and did not stir up his full wrath. He remembered that they were but flesh, a passing breeze that does not return.
Gal 6:7-8
Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. (ESV)
One of the most valuable lessons we can learn from Scripture is in the story of David as a young boy. It was not about him killing the bear, the lion or even when he killed the giant. It was when Samuel the prophet came to anoint him as king and was looking at his brothers. When each one passed by, he said he was sure this was God’s anointed. Finally, God told him that his problem was he was looking on the appearance, but God looks at the heart. Our heart determines who we are.
God can see through any façade that we might try to erect. We may hide who we are from those around us, but his x-ray vision will penetrate any mask or shield we use to deceive others. Jesus said that where our treasure is, there our heart will be also. If our heart is set on this world or the things or the pleasures, we will not have our hearts set on God. If we set our heart on him, we will live for him.
It does not mean we will be perfect or never sin. David was a man after God’s own heart, but he committed some terrible sins. But we see his heart when he was confronted with what he had done, and he replied that he had sinned. There was no argument, no excuses, no blaming others. He simply admitted his guilt and asked God to forgive him. We need to have a heart like David, devoted to God.
O Lord God, give me a pure heart, a heart devoted to you. I know that too often I do or say things that I should not do or say, so I constantly need your mercies and your forgiveness. Mold me into your likeness by the power of your Spirit living in me. Lord, be with our nation and give us leaders who respect you as God, so we can live in peace. Help your people to stand up for what is right. Thank you for all the freedoms and privileges we enjoy in this country. Be with your people in other places that do not enjoy these things. I pray in the name of Jesus.
Robert
