Daily Devotional from Pastor Mary 5-14-20

Psalm 66:8-20 The Voice

Everyone, bless our True God!
    Let praise-filled voices be heard near and far—at home and on foreign soil!

Praise the One who gives us life and keeps us safe,
    who does not allow us to stumble in the darkness.
10 
For You have put us to the test, O God;
    You have refined us as silver is refined.
11 
You trapped us with a snare;
    You have laid upon our backs a heavy burden.
12 
You allowed us to be conquered and let our enemies run over us.
    We journeyed through dangers, through fire and flood,
But You led us finally to a safe place, a land rich and abundant.

God goes to great lengths in order to bring his people into salvation and deliverance from evil; he does so while extending us freedom of choice. Our passage this morning is a great example of how God loves us and allows us to choose our master. Satan desires to tempt (lure) us into his evil bidding and foolish living in order to later beat us down and destroy our lives. God protects us while testing us during our journey through the wilderness of foolish living. His purpose for allowing such experiences is so we will know and recognize the Truth of his wisdom in contrast to the foolishness of evil. When we know the Truth, we will choose, invite, and trust the Lord to lead our lives into the eternal abundance his wisdom. The psalmist understood the journey and praised God—the Giver of Life and Wisdom—for it. Can we end by focusing on the word “finally?” Truth is not that the Lord “finally” chose to lead us into abundance. Rather, Truth is that we “finally” turned from evil, chose to make Christ Lord of our lives, and that decision opened the door to his eternal goodness that he desired for us from the beginning.

Prayer: I praise you, Almighty God, for your amazing goodness and wisdom leading my life. Thank you for your protection, refining process, and power that guides me toward the Truth. In Jesus’ name. Amen.