Daily Devotionals
Daily Devotional: Psalms 119:89-96
Ps 119:89-96 Lamedh
Your word, O Lord, is eternal; it stands firm in the heavens. Your faithfulness continues through all generations; you established the earth, and it endures. Your laws endure to this day, for all things serve you. If your law had not been my delight, I would have perished in my affliction. I will never forget your precepts, for by them you have preserved my life. Save me, for I am yours; I have sought out your precepts. The wicked are waiting to destroy me, but I will ponder your statutes. To all perfection I see a limit; but your commands are boundless.
James 2:8-9, 12-13
If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, "Love your neighbor as yourself," you are doing right. But if you show favoritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers. Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom, because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment!
One of the things that makes the word of God so interesting is that it so often contradicts our thinking and our human wisdom. We are told to love those who persecute you and who hate you. Treat others the way you want to be treated. Show mercy to those who have no mercy. Being a servant of righteousness gives us freedom. Rejoice when you are abused for your faith. Trust the unseen.
The walls of Jericho fell without a single assault. The giant of Philistia was killed with a small stone by a shepherd boy. Isaac was born from a womb that had long been childless. The Red Sea and the Jordan opened with dry land. These things that seemed impossible, all happened because God willed it to be so.
When we trust the unseen and we fix our eyes on Jesus, impossible things will happen in our lives too. One of the greatest of these things is how God can give us peace in the midst of turmoil and suffering. He can heal broken hearts and fill our lonely hearts with purpose. He will open doors of opportunity when all we can see is a big blank wall in front of us. Just because God does not work miracles in the same way he did in Bible times does not mean that he is not working in us today.
O Lord God, increase my faith. As we begin this new year of 2024, help me trust you more than I have ever done before. Open my eyes to the opportunities you are giving me to do good, even if it is only a small thing; a kind word, a listening ear, a sympathetic heart, or if it is sharing your gospel, even in the face of a world that doubts your existence. Use me to help others reach heaven. Be with our nation and give us leaders who respect you as God. Be with your people that we can show the love of Jesus to a lost world. In his name I pray.
Robert
