January 22 Daily Devotional

Bible Reading

Psalm 27:

¹The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?
²When the wicked, even mine enemies and my foes, came upon me to eat up my flesh, they stumbled and fell.
³Though an host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear: though war should rise against me, in this will I be confident.
⁴One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to enquire in his temple.
⁵For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion: in the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me; he shall set me up upon a rock.
⁶And now shall mine head be lifted up above mine enemies round about me: therefore will I offer in his tabernacle sacrifices of joy; I will sing, yea, I will sing praises unto the LORD.
⁷Hear, O LORD, when I cry with my voice: have mercy also upon me, and answer me.
⁸When thou saidst, Seek ye my face; my heart said unto thee, Thy face, LORD, will I seek.
⁹Hide not thy face far from me; put not thy servant away in anger: thou hast been my help; leave me not, neither forsake me, O God of my salvation.
¹⁰When my father and my mother forsake me, then the LORD will take me up.
¹¹Teach me thy way, O LORD, and lead me in a plain path, because of mine enemies.
¹²Deliver me not over unto the will of mine enemies: for false witnesses are risen up against me, and such as breathe out cruelty.
¹³I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living.
¹⁴Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.

Devotional

There is no true happiness apart from God. Only in communion with God do we experience lasting satisfaction and fullness of joy. It is only when we depart from God, not giving heed to his Word, that we bring ourselves into misery. Our sins separate us from God. The psalmist prays, "Hide not thy face from me; put not thy servant away in anger . . . leave me not." Does God do that? He would have every reason to leave us if He would deal with us after our sins. But He is merciful. Hear what He says: "For a small moment have I forsaken thee; but with great mercies will I gather thee. In a little wrath I hid my face from thee for a moment, but with everlasting kindness will I have mercy on thee." He has promised, "I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee." Even when the people of God greviously sin, and they repent, and seek God with all their heart, and with all their soul, they shall find him. "If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land." He will make his face shine upon his people. Let us not forget, He does this through Christ. "God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ." And all believers shall behold his face in righteousness, and shall be satisfied, when they awake in his likeness.

Prayer

Our heavenly Father, we would praise Thy great and holy name for Thine infinite mercy shown unto us unworthy sinners in Jesus Christ Thy Son. We thank Thee that this mercy is from everlasting to everlasting. Continue to show us Thy mercy, O God of our salvation, and speak peace unto our souls. For Jesus' sake. Amen.

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Scripture in Devotional: Ps. 27:9; Isa. 54:7,8; Heb. 13:5; Deut. 31:6-8; 4:29; 2 Chron. 7:14; Num. 6:25; 2 Cor. 4:6; Ps. 17:15.

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