Daily Devotional
April 11 - 17, 2010
April 11
Psalm 88
"O Lord, the God of my salvation, I have cried out by day and in the night before Thee" (v1). Deep in despair, the psalmist turned to the One in charge of all things. The psalmist felt "forsaken among the dead … in dark places, in the depths" (v5-6). He experienced terrible loneliness: "Thou hast removed lover and friend far from me" (v18). Whether deserved or not, accident or divine discipline, this trouble was close to crushing him.
Salvation is more than forgiveness of sins. It is God coming down, being with us, mercifully and powerfully intervening in our lives.
April 12
Psalm 89
"The heavens are Yours, the earth also is Yours; The world and all it contains, You have founded them." If God is in charge, if He is Creator and Father, then we are blessed when we are close to Him. David's blessing was a covenant relationship with God (v20); God promised to establish his descendants on Israel's throne forever. Even temporary discipline could not break the covenant (v33); Jesus Christ was (humanly) David's descendant.
The One who created the universe is more faithful than we can imagine. Despite our many failures, His love for us never changes.
April 13
Romans 15
"Therefore, accept one another, just as Christ also accepted us to the glory of God" (v7). Christ accepted us by becoming one of us. He shared completely in our weaknesses, in our "reproaches," and ultimately took our suffering. Paul urged the believers in Rome to care for one another in the same way and "not just please yourselves" (v1). "Each of us is to please his neighbor for his good, to his edification" (v2).
Everything in our world teaches us to focus on ourselves. Jesus Christ turned the world upside down by selfless love, "to the glory of God."
April 14
Romans 16
"I commend to you our sister Phoebe …" Paul told the church in Rome to welcome Phoebe, "a servant of the church." Believers united by Christ were family. Paul ended his letter by naming many who were "beloved," "fellow workers," and "the approved." Devoted to Jesus and to one another, these believers were truly "the body of Christ". In contrast, Paul warned them to beware "those who cause dissensions and hindrances contrary to the teaching which you learned" (v17).
Small or large, rich or poor, the church is the same - a community united by love for Christ and one another.
April 15
II Chronicles 26-27
"Get out of the sanctuary, for you have been unfaithful" (26:18). King Uzziah had become strong; "his heart was so proud that he acted corruptly" (v16). Only the priests were allowed to burn incense in the Temple, but King Uzziah felt invincible. While he was in the Temple "with a censer in his hand," 80 priests confronted him. King Uzziah had an army, but the priests belonged to God. Uzziah was struck with leprosy.
Without humility, we cannot approach God. However, when we acknowledge Him as Lord, His power works in us and for us.
April 16
II Chronicles 28
"At this time King Ahaz sent to the kings of Assryia for help" (v16). Constant disobedience had left Judah unprotected against her enemies, and so Ahaz tried to make an alliance with Assyria. But "Tilgath-pilneser king of Assyria came against him and afflicted him instead of strengthening him" (v20). Even giving the Temple's wealth to the Assyrian king didn't help. King Ahaz was deep in idolatry (even sacrificing his own sons, v3), and his downfall was inevitable.
King Ahaz looked for help in other religions and stronger empires. He ignored the God of Abraham, his only secure protection and hope.
April 17
II Chronicles 29-31
"So the Lord heard Hezekiah and healed the people" (v20). Hezekiah took over a ruined kingdom from his wicked father Ahaz. King Ahaz had spread idolatry far and wide and desecrated the Temple. But Hezekiah loved the Lord, and in his very first month as king, "he opened the doors of the house of the Lord and repaired them" (29:3). He called the priests and Levites to come back to the Temple and celebrate the Passover.
Our parents' choices don't always determine our future. Hezekiah chose to embrace God and transform his country, leading his people in holiness.
