6-25-20 Today in the Word

HOW GOD WORKS THROUGH FAILURE
Thursday, June 25, 2020 | Psalm 73
 
JOY WHEN WE FAIL

On his album American Prodigal, Christian musician David Crowder sings:
“Troubles of this world, will wither up and die
That river of tears made by the lonely, someday will be dry
There’s gonna be, a great rejoicing
There’s gonna be, a great rejoicing.”
Despite troubles and failure, joy in the Lord is always the right choice!
Asaph began Psalm 73 by announcing his topic: God’s goodness (v. 1). The psalmist, however, confesses that he had lost his grip on this truth. His feet “had almost slipped; I had nearly lost my foothold” (v. 2). How? He had become envious. The wicked looked like they were prospering, and God seemed to be doing nothing (vv. 3–12). Why pursue righteousness if it only brings problems (vv. 13–14)?
Asaph’s faith may have faltered, but he didn’t speak out and lead others astray. Worship helped him realize his error and revive his faith (vv. 15–17). His error was to take the troubling phenomena he saw as the whole truth. Ultimately, God will make sure that the wicked receive justice (vv. 18–20, 27). God has promised it and His nature is perfectly just. With a wrong view of God, the psalmist failed. He was ignorant and bitter. He misinterpreted what he saw. He acted like a “brute beast” rather than a believer made in God’s image (vv. 21–22).
By contrast, with a right view of God, Asaph found guidance, strength, and fulfillment through his relationship with the Lord (vv. 23–28). His song took on a new theme: “God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever” (v. 26).
>> It is helpful to be honest about our failure . . . both with ourselves and before God. Today, consider those times in life when you have failed Him. Rather than sinking into despair, and acting like a “brutal beast”—let God turn your disappointment and fear into joy.
PRAY WITH US
Join us as we pray the beautiful words from today’s Scripture reading, Psalm 73: “But as for me, it is good to be near God. I have made the Sovereign Lord my refuge; I will tell of all your deeds.”
This month's devotional is written by Dr. Brad Baurain who has worked as a writer and editor for Today in the Word since 1993. Currently, he serves as associate professor and TESOL program head at Moody Bible Institute. Brad has the unique privilege of holding a degree from four different universities (including Moody). He has also taught in China, Vietnam, the United States, and Canada. Brad and his wife, Julia, have four children and reside in Munster, Indiana.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

9-18-23 Rage Against Jesus And His People — The Ominous Trend Of 2022

Rage Against Jesus And His People — The Ominous Trend Of 2022 – By Hal Lindsey - https://harbingersdaily.com/rage-against-jesus-and-his-people-the-ominous-trend-of-2022/ By the end of 2022, eight billion people lived on the earth. They were besieged by a series of plagues, droughts, false prophets, war, the threat of greater war, hatred, rage, theft, and violence. The eight billion were fragmented in a variety of ways — according to their nations, level of income, race, gender, various understandings of gender and human sexuality, along with religion or the lack thereof. Change became overwhelming to most of the eight billion. For those over 40, it was almost unfathomable that by the end of 2022, not even half the students at Cambridge University identified as heterosexual. In 2022, deception ruled the day. Trust in government, educational institutions, and the news media had been largely obliterated. Trust in health officials and doctors had become severely damaged. In suc
Read more

9-17-23 It's Coming

It Is Coming - By Daymond Duck - https://www.raptureready.com/2022/12/24/it-is-coming-by-daymond-duck/ On Dec. 17, 2022, it was reported that Rep. David Cicilline, a Democrat from Rhode Island, has introduced legislation to permanently bar former Pres. Trump from running for president again, and 40 Democrats have signed on. Cicilline is accusing Trump of orchestrating an insurrection on Jan. 6, 2021. At the time of this writing, it is debatable as to whether Cicilline’s legislation will get voted on before the new Congress takes office in 2023, but some conservatives have said from the beginning that the main purpose of the Jan. 6 fake show-trial was to stop Trump from being elected again. Some, including this writer, have said there is no telling what the U.S. shadow government will do to prevent making America great again (MAGA) because they want to surrender the sovereignty of the U.S. to the New World Order (coming world government). It was easy to see this comi
Read more

9-16-23 Little-Known Prophecies of Christmas, Pt 3: Genesis 17:19

Little-Known Prophecies of Christmas, Pt 3: Genesis 17:19 :: By Paul J. Scharf Published on: December 24, 2022 by RR10 Category:General Articles The Messiah was a descendant of Abraham. More than that, we considered last time how He was, in fact, promised within the covenant that God made with Abram (Gen. 12:1-3). According to the Apostle Paul in Gal. 3:16 and 19, He is the ultimate recipient of that covenant! Our Savior Jesus Christ is finally the One through whom “all the families of the earth shall be blessed” (Gen. 12:3). Paul also quoted and discussed that portion of the covenant in Gal. 3:8-9. We ended last time with the realization that the promised Messiah would be the final Davidic king over Israel. As declared then, however, there are several intermediate steps, with accompanying prophecies, which are given between the times of Abraham and David and speak about His coming and the offices He would hold as the greatest prophet, priest, and king. And there are also more ance
Read more