Daily Devotionals
Daily Devotional: Psalms 99:1-9
Ps 99:1-9
The Lord reigns, let the nations tremble; he sits enthroned between the cherubim, let the earth shake. Great is the Lord in Zion; he is exalted over all the nations. Let them praise your great and awesome name — he is holy. The King is mighty, he loves justice — you have established equity; in Jacob you have done what is just and right. Exalt the Lord our God and worship at his footstool; he is holy. Moses and Aaron were among his priests, Samuel was among those who called on his name; they called on the Lord and he answered them. He spoke to them from the pillar of cloud; they kept his statutes and the decrees he gave them. O Lord our God, you answered them; you were to Israel a forgiving God, though you punished their misdeeds. Exalt the Lord our God and worship at his holy mountain, for the Lord our God is holy.
1 Peter 2:13-16
Submit yourselves for the Lord's sake to every authority instituted among men: whether to the king, as the supreme authority, or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right. For it is God's will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish men.
We live in a world that is filled with turmoil, strife, backbiting, wrangling, and all kinds of political fighting. One nation goes to war against another. Parts of a nation are battling other parts of the same country. Various parties of political factions are constantly trying to outmaneuver the other. One race hates the other with even some families not living in peace. This is the wisdom of this world.
There is a kind of wisdom from above and it is first pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Those who belong to Christ will seek the wisdom that comes from God and will live by the Spirit and not by the desires of the flesh. The result will be love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.
God knows best. He made us and he wants us to live peaceful lives. When a nation follows him, he blesses them. The same is true with churches, families, and each of us as individuals. It is up to us to know his will and then to follow it.
O Lord God, help me realize that you know best in every part of my life and that doing your will gives me all I need to be happy, content, and fulfilled. Thank you for all the material things you have given me. Keep me from being selfish and help me use all I have and all I am to be a blessing to others. Give me wisdom and the strength to keep my mouth shut and not find fault or criticize others. Instead, help me find opportunities to praise and encourage them. I have dear friends who are sick, taking treatments, hurting emotionally; be with them. In Jesus name.
Robert
