Daily Devotional - 9/28

Prayer Focus - 8's

Pray for:

Eight things that you are grateful for
Eight people that are on your heart
Eight places that you care about
Eight characteristics to grow in
Eight characteristics/habits to get rid of

Dear Lord - Please open my ears to hear Your everpresent voice and grant me the strength to follow through and obey.

Psalms 28

"He will tear them down and never build them up again." (vs. 5b)

Who will He tear down? This sounds so ominous. The murders? The violent? The criminals? When I look back to see exactly who the psalmist is talking about, I am convicted and challenged. Let's look starting in verse three.

"Do not drag me away with the wicked, with those who do evil, who speak cordially with their neighbors but harbor malice in their hearts."

Wow! He is talking about people who are holding grudges against someone or have hatred, anger, or prejudice against another. I know I have sinned against others in this way. Maybe there is someone right now I need to clear things up with. I need to always search my heart to be sure it is clear.

How often have we been upset with someone and they come up to talk to us and we act like nothing is wrong. We speak nicely to them and all the while are angry deep down. God is expressing just how He feels about that here. That is doing evil and is putting us in danger of being torn down.

Why would this upset God so much? After all, isn't this exactly how the world works. This is so common. We are stabbed in the back continuously. People talk nice to us and as soon as we are gone gossip about us to their friends. We expect it. Sometimes we engage in it. In the church, we are tempted to do no differently. Why would it upset God so much?

"Since they show no regard for the works of the Lord and what His hands have done," (vs. 5a)

It goes back to the earlier psalm that reminded us that the earth is the Lord's and everything in it (Psalms 24:1). Every person belongs to God and is special to Him; whether they have a relationship with Him or not. He created them and knit them together in their mother's womb (Psalms 139:13-16). They are important to God and as such deserve good treatment from me. This is referring to my personal family, to strangers, and especially to those in the church. We are to treat our brothers and sisters in Christ with special regard (Gal 6:10).

Thank goodness that God hears our cries for mercy (vs. 2). By myself, I cannot stand. I need the mercy of the Lord. I need His strength to do right, especially in this area; even after all this time. Conflicts will continue to happen in my life. As long as I am alive and interacting with people, I will have to deal with my heart, hurt feelings, and conflicts. I will never out grow it. Sometimes it will be my fault, sometimes it will be the other person's fault, and sometimes it will be just a misunderstanding. Even so, I need mercy and I need to give mercy.

When I do this and clear my heart so there is nothing false in me, I will be able to rejoice. My heart will leap for joy (vs. 7). It is so good to have a clear heart and a clear conscience. We can truly thank God then. He is our strength and will save and bless us when we are obedient. He will be our Shepherd and carry us forever.

Thank You Lord, because I cannot do it alone.

QFT

1. What is my reaction to the seriousness of harboring ill feelings towards another person? Do I see it as as serious offense as God does?

2. Is there someone I need to speak to and work something out with? When will I do this?

3. Do I have any stereotypes or prejudices that are hindering my relationship with God and my effectiveness for Him? How can I repent of these things?

4. How do I feel when I have a clear conscience? How can I strive to maintain this?