Daily Devotionals
Daily Devotional: Psalms 80:8-13
Ps 80:8-13
You brought a vine out of Egypt; you drove out the nations and planted it. You cleared the ground for it, and it took root and filled the land. The mountains were covered with its shade, the mighty cedars with its branches. It sent out its boughs to the Sea, its shoots as far as the River. Why have you broken down its walls so that all who pass by pick its grapes? Boars from the forest ravage it and the creatures of the field feed on it.
Matt 8:24-27
Without warning, a furious storm came up on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat. But Jesus was sleeping. The disciples went and woke him, saying, "Lord, save us! We're going to drown!" He replied, "You of little faith, why are you so afraid?" Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm. The men were amazed and asked, "What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the waves obey him!"
Just when everything seems to be going our way, the whole world crashes in on us, leaving us in fear or doubt or just wondering why. In a moment, we go from an emotional record high to the depths of depression. It is then that we begin to ask what God is doing to us, or if he is there at all. The storm is raging, and Jesus is sleeping. “Lord, save us!” And his response is “You of little faith.”
Too often we trust ourselves instead of trusting Jesus. We deceive ourselves into thinking that we are trusting him, when in reality we are trying to do it ourselves, in our way and in our time. He has promised to provide a way of escape, but we must use his way, not our own. He said he will never allow us to be tempted beyond what we are able to bear, but we must use the power of the Holy Spirit living in us and not rely on our own. Faith lets go and lets him control things.
Count your blessings in Jesus Christ. But remember that all we have, all we accomplish, all we know, comes from him and we are just his stewards. Every success in life is from him. Jesus gave the young ruler a choice when telling him to sell all he had and give it to the poor, and then to follow him. Job was not given that choice, but it was just all taken by the devil. God knows best, so trust him.
My Father in heaven and Jesus my Lord, thank you for all you have given me, in more ways than I even know. Thank you for my wonderful family and friends you have put in my life. Thank you for the abilities and opportunities to use them that you have made to abound. Help me do a better job of using all I have and all I am to your glory. Lord, be merciful toward our nation and our leaders. Give us people who will respect you as God and your word as truth. In Jesus’ name.
Robert
