Daily Devotionals
Daily Devotional: Psalms 116:8-14
Ps 116:8-14
For you, O Lord, have delivered my soul from death, my eyes from tears, my feet from stumbling, that I may walk before the Lord in the land of the living. I believed; therefore, I said, "I am greatly afflicted." And in my dismay, I said, "All men are liars." How can I repay the Lord for all his goodness to me? I will lift up the cup of salvation and call on the name of the Lord. I will fulfill my vows to the Lord in the presence of all his people.
2 Cor 1:3-5
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God. For just as the sufferings of Christ flow over into our lives, so also through Christ our comfort overflows.
God has blessed most of us with more things and in more ways than we can even count. We take so much for granted that we fail to see all we have been given. But he blesses us so we can and will bless others with what we have been given. God provides us with a job, and he tell us to work, but he also says we are to share what we have with those in need. We are to have compassion.
Sometimes it is difficult for those of us who have been blessed with the ability and opportunity to work to realize that there are people who cannot work. It may be that they are physically unable, or they may not have the opportunity to work and provide for themselves. Things happen beyond our control and at times we need the help of others. We need to be willing to help those in need.
This, of course, is limited by our opportunities and ability. We cannot supply the needs of everyone. God does expect us to use good judgment and not enable those who can work but are unwilling. Paul said that if a person will not work, neither shall they eat. But this is not an excuse for us to turn our head and then refuse to help someone who does need it. It is always better to err on the side of compassion and generosity than to be guilty of greed and skepticism.
My Father in heaven, holy is your name in all the earth. The earth and all that is in it, above it and around it shows forth your glory and your wisdom. You are the source of wisdom and of love. Fill me with both, so I can have your joy and your peace in my heart, no matter what happens around me. Give me a heart of compassion and help me use what you have given me to help others. Help me reach out to those who are lost and share the good news of Jesus with them. I thank you for all you have done and still do every day in my life. Thank you for others who love you and encourage me daily. I pray in Jesus’ name.
Robert
