Daily Devotionals
Daily Devotional: Psalms 17:11-15
Ps 17:11-15
They have now surrounded our steps; they set their eyes to cast us to the ground. He is like a lion eager to tear, as a young lion lurking in ambush. Arise, O Lord! Confront him, subdue him! Deliver my soul from the wicked by your sword, from men by your hand, O Lord, from men of the world whose portion is in this life. You fill their womb with treasure; they are satisfied with children, and they leave their abundance to their infants. As for me, I shall behold your face in righteousness; when I awake, I shall be satisfied with your likeness.
2 Thess 3:1-3
Finally, brothers, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may speed ahead and be honored, as happened among you, and that we may be delivered from wicked and evil men. For not all have faith. But the Lord is faithful. He will establish you and guard you against the evil one.
As disciples of Jesus, we are to learn to look at everything from a perspective that is unique to children of God. We are to look at the world and people of the world from the viewpoint of Jesus. As we learn to do this, we have a more difficult time understanding how people can be so perverse and ignore Jesus. Why would anyone want to hurt those who are doing what is right and reward those who are evil? Why do people accept evil as good and this to their own hurt and shame?
Sin is attractive. Things seem to be rewarding, so that the more we have the happier we will become. Pleasure is luring. We all want to be happy, find peace of mind, and have enough to live comfortably. But we forget that all of this world is going to be destroyed. The real problem is how we set our priorities because this determines our behavior. Satan is a master of deception, one step at a time.
Noah told the people of his day that they were wrong and needed to change but they did not listen. Lot’s righteous soul was tormented daily because of the evil in Sodom, but they were not willing to change, even when told the consequences. In the days of the prophets, people were warned, but instead of changing their ways, they persecuted and killed the prophets. It has been this way since the days of Cain and Able and it will continue until the Lord returns. Like David, Trust God.
O Lord God, increase my faith! Thank you for all you have given me in life and for all the times you have delivered me from evil, both from temptation to do evil and from evil people who meant to do me harm. Give me wisdom to choose the right priorities in my life and to put the eternal ahead of that which is going to be destroyed. Be with our nation so that we can live at peace and people can learn to get along with others, even when they don’t agree. Help all of your people to show respect for those who are in authority. I pray in the name of Jesus.
Robert
