Day 59 – Eternity is What Really Matters
Psalm 49:5, 16 Why should I fear in days of adversity, When the iniquity of my foes surrounds me, … Do not be afraid when a man becomes rich, When the glory of his house is increased
Story: To believe in God is to look at life, even all people, differently. For the moment, there will be times of trouble and adversity. For the moment, those who practice sin will seem to gain the upper hand over me. For the moment, those who reject God will increase in wealth, power, and status. None of these last. Everyone faces death (v. 13, 20), which strips us of our wealth and power. Eternity is what really matters, and eternal salvation is found only in Jesus Christ!
My Prayer Response: Father, I need this dose of wisdom, this eternal perspective. I get so caught up in the things of today – things that are for the moment. You are the God who saves me from death; Jesus will receive me in the place He has prepared for me in heaven! I want to do Your work this day – engaging in things that are for the moment, but aware that each person is eternal; aware that eternity is what really matters.
May you live for eternity this day!
Day 60 – What Can Man Do To Me?
Psalm 56:3-4, 11 When I am afraid, I will put my trust in You. In God, whose word I praise, In God I have put my trust; I shall not be afraid. What can mere man do to me? … In God I have put my trust, I shall not be afraid. What can man do to me?
Story: In attempting to flee from Saul, David ran to the Philistines and was captured. Only a few years earlier had David defeated their giant, Goliath. About 50 years earlier, the same Philistines tortured and humiliated Samson, attempting to extract some revenge upon him. If I was David, I would be very afraid of what these men would do to me. Yes, David makes a choice to trust in the LORD; to focus his attention on God. Fear thrives on the unknown, so David decides to dwell on known truth about God and His Word.
PS David pretends to be insane and so is released by the Philistines.
My Prayer Response: Father, the opposite of fear is faith and trust. But this trust is a decision. I can chose to be afraid – thinking about my feelings and unknown what-ifs; or I can chose to trust in You – thinking about Your Word and Your mighty works. I am so grateful You are the Almighty God, and that you are always so much greater than anything I will ever face. If You are with me and for me, then anything that happens has come from You and through You.
May you put your trust in God today!
Day 61 – Blessing Leads To Fearing
Psalm 67:7 God blesses us, That all the ends of the earth may fear Him.
Story: It’s worth it to take the time to read all seven verses of this Psalm. It’s a prayer for blessing and grace, but not in a self-centered way. Instead, it’s about the salvation going out to all the earth. The purpose of God’s blessing His people is so that others would fear Him, know His salvation, and also receive His blessing. Blessing leads to fearing which leads to more blessing!
My Prayer Response: Father, You bless us so very much. But do I realize Your purpose? Or am I taking Your blessings for granted? You want all peoples to fear You and know Your salvation – which includes my neighbors. And how will they fear You and know Your salvation if I stay silent? Continue to bless my church, my family, me – but always so that we speak of You to those You place in our lives.
May the LORD bless you today so that others would fear Him!
Day 62 – Fearing God’s Wrath
Psalm 76:7-8, 11-12 “You, even You, are to be feared; And who may stand in Your presence when once You are angry? You caused judgment to be heard from heaven; The earth feared and was still. … Make vows to the Lord your God and fulfill them; Let all who are around Him bring gifts to Him who is to be feared. He will cut off the spirit of princes; He is feared by the kings of the earth.”
Story: Asaph writes a psalm of praise on a topic many of us would find very difficult: God’s wrath. Who indeed can stand before the LORD in His anger and judgment? If the earth knows to fear God and be still, how much more people made in His image? We are to take God’s wrath seriously – not even the kings of the earth are exempt. But God’s wrath always leads to God’s salvation, which is for the humble of the earth (v. 9).
My Prayer Response: Father, we humble ourselves before You. Yes, You are a God of goodness, peace, mercy, and love; but You are just as equally and fully a God of wrath. Thank you for Jesus, who took my judgment and Your wrath in my place! I’m freed from Your wrath in Him; and yet, the humility and fear of You must remain. Please, use me to tell others of both Your wrath and Your way of salvation!
May you be grateful today that Jesus takes God’s wrath in your place!