Devotion for Monday, September 24, 2018

“When my anxious thoughts multiply within me, Your consolations delight my soul.  Can a throne of destruction be allied with You, one which devises mischief by decree?  They band themselves together against the life of the righteous and condemn the innocent to death.”  (Psalm 94:19-21)

 

There is destruction all around me in this world.  The news is filled with horrible things.  Yet, Lord, You are here in the midst of this troubled world.  Unite my heart with You that no matter what happens in this world filled with wickedness, I will walk alongside You and the path You have laid before me.  Lead me in the way I should go and then give me strength to follow.

Lord, You knew before it happened all the things that go on in this age.  You have purpose for allowing these things and I do not understand.  Help me through the pitfalls, most notably my insatiable desire to know all things before I take a step.  Lead me to walk in faith trusting You through all things and above all things.  Guide me to trust in Your Word and what You have taught me.

Holy Spirit, You comfort and guide me.  Help me to listen to You as You speak that I would move through those places where I am afraid or feel trapped.  Guide me to walk the path of the righteous, doing all that You give me to do.  Lead me in Your goodness to choose the better portion and do those things which are pleasing in the Father’s sight.  Help me now and always to be faithful.  Amen.




Devotion for Saturday, September 22, 2018

“For the Lord will not abandon His people, nor will He forsake His inheritance.  For judgment will again be righteous, and all the upright in heart will follow it.  Who will stand up for me against evildoers?  Who will take his stand for me against those who do wickedness?”  (Psalm 94:14-16)

 

Lord, time and again one can look at history and see that those who abide in Your Word survive whereas those who walk in the way of wickedness come to nothing.  Guide me, O Lord, in the way You would have me go that I would not fall prey to the way of the wicked.  Lead me to see in You the hope of glory and know that Your righteousness shall prevail forever.

Lord, grant me wisdom to see through the plots of the wicked.  Lift me up in Your goodness to see in You the hope of glory for all generations.  May I now and always come to You for wisdom and see clearly that the way of the wicked comes to destruction.  Guide me, O Lord, in Your ways, teaching me how to obey all that You have commanded not out of obligation, but in love.

Lord Jesus, You have come to set the captive free — free from the tyranny of wickedness to do what brings the Father glory.  Teach me this day those lessons You know I need that I would do what is right in Your sight always.  Help me through those temptations that come along that I would now and always choose the way You set before me.  May I abide in You and Your ways always.  Amen.




Devotion for Saturday, November 18, 2017

“Be gracious to me, O God, be gracious to me, for my soul takes refuge in You; and in the shadow of Your wings I will take refuge until destruction passes by.  I will cry to God Most High, to God who accomplishes all things for me.”  (Psalm 57:1-2)

Grace is unmerited favor, a gift that the Lord grants to those who turn to Him.  We all need grace, for we all have fallen short of the glory of the Lord.  Cry out to the Lord who hears you and knows all about what He has made.  Know that in Him you can take refuge and He will cover you in the shadow of His wing.  The Lord is more than able to accomplish your salvation.

Lord, in times of trouble I look to You, but often in times of plenty, I simply go my way and ignore You.  Help me realize that this age is a time of great trouble and turmoil.  Lead me into the truth of Your presence that I would know that in You I have an eternal hope and a future.  Guide me in Your will to walk in Your ways all the days of my life, knowing in You alone can I hope.

Christ, the Savior of the World, You have come to be the refuge for all.  Lead me in the grace You have purchased by Your own blood that I may forever walk in the mercy of the Father.  Destruction has already come upon the world, but in You I need not fear anything that comes.  Lead me, O Lord, to stand by Your side and walk where You direct, knowing that only in You will I be made complete.  Amen.




Devotion for Monday, November 6, 2017

“Destruction is in her midst; oppression and deceit do not depart from her streets.  For it is not an enemy who reproaches me, then I could bear it; nor is it one who hates me who has exalted himself against me, then I could hide myself from him.”  (Psalm 55:11-12)

 

All around are those who plot and seek to gain what is not theirs for their own sake.  It is hard to live in a world with so many that are deceitful.  Yet, here we are.  How can one hide from the wickedness that is on every side?  Hide in the Lord who knows all things and will not anything come upon You that will separate you from Him.  Come to the Lord and find the only rest in a world gone mad.

 

Lord, these are words I can hear, but they are so hard to act upon.  Guide the thoughts of my mind and the actions I make to come into conformity with what You are saying.  Lead me by Your Spirit to walk in the ways You have established in spite of all that is going on around me.  Lead me O Lord that I would follow You all the days of my life and walk in Your goodness.

Lord Jesus, for this very reason You have come that as many as turn to You would discover the peace which surpasses all understanding.  Lead me Lord Jesus in the way I should go and then through Your Spirit, give the means to walk in this way.  By Your grace alone am I not like the others who hate You.  In thankfulness, guide my heart ever upward to walk with You alone.  Amen.




Monday, October 23, 2017 Devotion

“Why do you boast in evil, O mighty man?  The lovingkindness of God endures all day long.  Your tongue devises destruction, Like a sharp razor, O worker of deceit.”  (Psalm 52:1-2)

 

Wickedness has always been around and in the midst of our comfort we do not see the evil plotted by those who are bent upon destruction.  From the heart and out of the mouth comes deceit, malice, envy and bitterness.  The call of the Lord is to have a new and clean heart that abandons the heart of this age for the eternal goodness of the Lord.  Be not wicked, but come into the righteousness of the Lord.

 

At many levels, there is within me that which can and does behave like those who practice wickedness.  You, O Lord have called me into a new life that no longer rebels against the goodness You have established, but desires to come into the truth that in You alone is hope.  Come Holy Spirit and renew in me a right spirit that I would hold fast to You and the goodness You give.

 

Lord Jesus, in the face of the rebellious age, You have given the means of forever escaping the self-destructive ways of this world.  Guide me O Lord that I would live in Your grace and live into a life that seeks righteousness.  Help me now and always to hold fast to the truth You have revealed that I might become like You and do the Father’s will on earth as it shall be done in heaven.  Amen.