Daily Devotionals
Daily Devotional: Psalms 141:1-5a
Ps 141:1-5a
O Lord, I call to you; come quickly to me. Hear my voice when I call to you. May my prayer be set before you like incense; may the lifting up of my hands be like the evening sacrifice. Set a guard over my mouth, O Lord; keep watch over the door of my lips. Let not my heart be drawn to what is evil, to take part in wicked deeds with men who are evildoers; let me not eat of their delicacies. Let a righteous man strike me — it is a kindness; let him rebuke me — it is oil on my head. My head will not refuse it.
Col 3:12-13
Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. 13 Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.
I once worked with a guy who would never admit that he was wrong about anything. It did not matter what it was or how obvious it was to him or to others, he refused to admit that he was wrong. Most of us don’t like to be told that we are wrong. Most people get defensive when someone begins to accuse them of having made a mistake, no matter what, how big or how little.
NEWS FLASH! We all mess up sometimes. It may be that it is a simple mistake that has no consequences, or it may be a horrible sin that we have committed, but we all mess up. God never makes mistakes. I heard someone say that God never says “oops”. In his infinite wisdom, he always does exactly the right thing and at the right time. But we are not God, and we sin, we mess up, we goof at times.
We do well if we learn to take criticism gracefully, even when it is given in a not so graceful manner. James says we are to be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to get angry. Listen to the criticism with an open mind. Weigh it carefully. Pray about it. There will be times that we are not wrong, and it may or may not be best to respond and defend ourselves. If wrong, admit it and correct it. Whether we think we are wrong or not, we can kindly thank the other person for caring for us enough to point out our mistakes. A true friend will help others do right.
O Lord God, infinite and all wise, guide me so that I do what is right, all the time, and in every situation. When I fail to do this, help me honestly see myself and my actions and to admit when I am wrong. When I sin, help me acknowledge it to you and ask for your forgiveness. Thank you for our nation. Give us leaders, at every level, that will look to you for wisdom and follow your will so that we can live quiet and peaceful lives in Jesus Christ. Thank you for the freedoms I enjoy. I ask you to preserve these for future generations. I pray in the name of Jesus.
Robert
