Daily Devotionals
Daily Devotional: Psalms 119:25-32
Ps 119:25-32 Daleth
I am laid low in the dust; preserve my life according to your word. I recounted my ways and you answered me; teach me your decrees. Let me understand the teaching of your precepts; then I will meditate on your wonders. My soul is weary with sorrow; strengthen me according to your word. Keep me from deceitful ways; be gracious to me through your law. I have chosen the way of truth; I have set my heart on your laws. I hold fast to your statutes, O Lord; do not let me be put to shame. I run in the path of your commands, for you have set my heart free.
James 1:25
But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it — he will be blessed in what he does.
We live in the land of the free. Our nation was founded so that we could have freedom of religion, freedom of speech, freedom of movement, and so many other freedoms. With these freedoms come rights and privileges, but also with them come responsibilities. There is always a fine line between where our personal freedom ends and that of others begins. We cannot use our freedoms to harm others or take away their freedoms and rights.
In spite of all of this, most of the people in our country are living in slavery. They are slaves to their jobs, to their creditors, to themselves and their desires. Even worse, they are slaves to sin and to Satan. They seek peace and freedom in the wrong places and the wrong ways, so it becomes an endless pursuit of happiness that is like the proverbial carrot on a stick. Always there, but never attained.
Think of all the freedom of mind that we have if we are always honest and never lie to anyone. If we never cheat (or stretch the rules) on our taxes, we are free from the worry of being audited. When we are always true to our spouse, always providing for and looking out for our families, when we are working for the good of our employer and giving an honest days’ work, or when we are always being a good neighbor, we free ourselves of a life of fear and worry. But best of all, when we are in Christ, we are free from sin, living with a promise of eternal life.
Heavenly Father, thank you for the freedom found in your word and given in Jesus Christ. I am thankful that I can live a life free from worry and fear about all that might happen in my life and in our world. Since you are in control and I know that you are infinitely wise and all powerful, I trust you to take care of me and all that surrounds me or affects me. I also know that when bad things happen to me or those I love that you will be with me to get through it all. In Jesus’s name.
Robert
