Daily Devotionals
Daily Devotional: Psalms 79:1-4
Ps 79:1-4
O God, the nations have invaded your inheritance; they have defiled your holy temple, they have reduced Jerusalem to rubble. They have given the dead bodies of your servants as food to the birds of the air, the flesh of your saints to the beasts of the earth. They have poured out blood like water all around Jerusalem, and there is no one to bury the dead. We are objects of reproach to our neighbors, of scorn and derision to those around us.
Eph 2:11-13
Therefore, remember that formerly you who are Gentiles by birth and called "uncircumcised" by those who call themselves "the circumcision" (that done in the body by the hands of men)— remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ.
One of the smallest words, and yet, one of the most powerful words in the Bible is the word “but”, especially when coupled with God or Christ. In the O.T. we read of Israel leaving God and getting into trouble, “but” God would show his mercy and send a deliverer to rescue them. In the N.T. we read how people are lost in sin, with no hope, “but God” or “but in Christ” they are delivered from their bondage.
In this word we find the mercy of God. We find his compassion and his grace. We also see his power over sin and death, and his control over things of this world. In “but” we come to understand his wisdom shown in his plan of redemption given for all of mankind. It is the contrast between fellowship with God and death.
Long ago, the brothers of Joseph feared for their lives and pleaded with him for mercy. He said you meant it for evil “but God” used it for your salvation. Peter told the crowd that they had rejected and crucified the Messiah “but God” meant it for their good and for their salvation from sin. Whatever we face today, even when we see only bad things ahead, we have no hope, we are devastated, “but God” has a better plan for us in Christ Jesus. But we must open our hearts to him.
O Lord, my Lord, how excellent is your name in all the earth. You have rescued me in times of trouble, and you have picked me up and held me when I have fallen. I have faced times in my life when there was no way to go, but you have opened new doors and provided a way. I thank you and praise you for your compassion, your mercy, your grace and your love for me. Help me be this merciful and this forgiving toward those around me. I need your Spirit to move me and motivate me to accomplish your will in my life. In the name of Jesus, I pray.
Robert
