Daily Devotionals
Daily Devotional: Psalms 89:38-45
Ps 89:38-45
But you have rejected, you have spurned, you have been very angry with your anointed one. You have renounced the covenant with your servant and have defiled his crown in the dust. You have broken through all his walls and reduced his strongholds to ruins. All who pass by have plundered him; he has become the scorn of his neighbors. You have exalted the right hand of his foes; you have made all his enemies rejoice. You have turned back the edge of his sword and have not supported him in battle. You have put an end to his splendor and cast his throne to the ground. You have cut short the days of his youth; you have covered him with a mantle of shame. Selah
Acts 7:57-60
At this they covered their ears and, yelling at the top of their voices, they all rushed at him, [Stephen] dragged him out of the city and began to stone him. Meanwhile, the witnesses laid their clothes at the feet of a young man named Saul. While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit." Then he fell on his knees and cried out, "Lord, do not hold this sin against them." When he had said this, he fell asleep.
David was a faithful servant of God but at times he had his problems. He and those around him would ask why these things were happening. James, the brother of John was killed by Herod. Stephen was stoned to death by the Jews because he said they had killed the Son of God. But if Jesus is our Lord and he was rejected and put to death, why should his followers be surprised when we are persecuted also? Good people suffer because we live among wicked people.
Jesus and Paul both warned us that those who are godly will suffer for their faith in Christ. There are times that good people suffer because they make some really bad choices. At other times our suffering is because of the decisions and actions of others (drunk driver, unfaithful spouse, bad management, etc). It may be that our suffering is because we are righteous, and we are being tested (Job). Or as the writer of Hebrews says, we are all disciplined, which may be because we have done something wrong, or it may be to teach or strengthen us. And then add to all of this the words of the wise man, “time and chance” to all of us.
Thank you, O God, for your love for me and for your willingness to forgive me by the blood of Jesus. You are holy and majestic, as your Son, my Savior. Prepare me to be what you want me to be, as you use me to serve those around me. Help me always remember that life is not about me, but it is about bringing honor to you and leading others to you. Keep me from being distracted by the things of this world, but to be fully devoted to you. I humbly pray in the name of Jesus.
Robert
