Daily Devotional

Scripture Psalms 117:1 Praise the LORD, all you Gentiles! Laud Him, all you peoples!

Observation: I had to look up Laud and it means praise or extol someone for the achievements. Everyone is called to praise Him and not from time to time, but always. God deserves are highest praise, because of who He is. He is the creator of all things, which include us. If we spent more time praising Him we would have less time worrying about things that don’t matter and we would be able to trust Him fully.

Application: I need to wake up in the morning praising my Lord and not complaining which is what I normally do. I need to praise Him in public and show my devotion to Him constantly. My Lord is worthy of my praise, love, worship and obedience. May I give it each day in glory and honor to Him.

Prayer: My Lord help me show you the praise you deserve from me. I fall short every day and I want to glorify you in all that I do. I do love you and I want to live a life that pleases you.

Scripture Psalms 116:6 The LORD preserves the simple; I was brought low, and He saved me.

Observation: When I read this the first thing came to mind when God saved me. I was on a beach attempting to end my life. The first time I prayed was that day and all I asked that this would be it, no heaven or hell just to stop existing. I don’t think there was anyone simpler than me. My first an unanswered prayer, but He guided me and saved me not only from death, but gave me a life worth living for Him.

Application: I’ll never forget how God saved me that day and saved me for all of eternity. I owe my Lord everything and there is nothing I can do to pay Him back. He deserves all of my love, praise, obedience and time. I need to work every day to do my best to give that to Him.

Prayer: My Lord thank you for not answering that prayer that day. Thank you for saving me at my lowest point and stood me up and opened my eyes. Guide me each day to do what pleases you. I Love you, Lord.

Scripture Psalms 115:3 But our God is in heaven; He does whatever He pleases.

Observation: God is the creator of all things and he is in heaven watching over His creation. He can do whatever He pleases and we should never question what happens around us that He allows. Our God is loving and caring and has created us for a purpose. We should always seek His will before doing anything.

Application: I need to stop complaining about things and open my eyes to see what God wants me to see. Things happen for a reason and instead of trying to figure things out on my own I need to seek God for wisdom to do what He desires of me. This is not my home and one day I will be with my Lord in heaven where He rules and should be ruling my life here.

Prayer: My Lord open my eyes and heart to your desires and speak to me. You are all powerful and I’m simply your servant. Command me in what you want of me and that I will be faithful and do all you command me to do.

Scripture Psalms 114:7 Tremble, O earth, at the presence of the Lord, At the presence of the God of Jacob,

Observation: People may ask why would you tremble in the presence of an all loving God? God is also just and has told us we will be judged at the end of our lives. We should be afraid to sin and not do what God commands us to do. He is a loving father to is children that obey and love Him, but if we are disobedient and we love ourselves more than Him we will be judged and that judgment should make us tremble.

Application: I need to fear when I know I am sinning. I need to repent immediately and live a life that will please my Father. There are so many things that I fear on this earth and nothing compares to the fear I should have when it comes to disobeying my Father. God loves me, but His judgment will be fair and final. I must live in a way that I will not have to fear how I will be judged at the end.

Prayer: My Lord open my eyes to all you desire of your servant. May I be pleasing to you and be obedient to all that you call me to be. May I look forward to the day I come before you and when you see me it brings a smile to your face.

Scripture Psalms 113:3 From the rising of the sun to its going down The LORD’S name is to be praised.

Observation: There is no time that we shouldn’t be praising the Lord. It doesn’t matter what is happening in our lives whether good or bad we should be praising His name. He has set aside a special place for us for all of eternity and if we keep close to Him and praise Him through this life whether day or night. We get to be with Him forever.

Application: My life should be a constant praise to my Lord. Other should be able to see the love I have for my God and see me praise Him no matter what the circumstances my joy should be steadfast. If I keep my God as the uppermost thought in my mind my life should be in continuous worship to Him. I can’t let the enemy get a hold of my mind and my heart I must be in praise at all times.

Prayer: Dear Lord you are worthy of all my praise, worship, love and time. Fill me with the Holy Spirit that I may stay in continuous praise of You. Be with me and guide me through this life so when I get home you would be proud of your servant. I love you Lord may I live this life in a way that will show you that.

Scripture Psalms 112:5 A good man deals graciously and lends; He will guide his affairs with discretion.

Observation: after reading this description and the other qualifications that followed, I can’t say that I’m a good man. That’s probably why the Bible says there is none good, no not one. That should not however stop me from trying. I have opportunities to deal with others graciously and to lend even though it is not my nature I can work on that and to handle my affairs with discretion instead of impulse. For the rest of my life I need to make being a good man a priority and ask God for wisdom and strength to do just that. Being good can only be accomplished by the guidance of the only one that is good, our Lord.

Application: I need to search out what to do in every situation and ask for wisdom and guidance. I need to stop making rash decisions and to take every situation in prayer and ask God to guide me. Each day my goal is to be a good man and to be an example to others of that goodness.

Prayer: My Lord I’m so far away from being a good man and I need your help. I want to be that man that honors you, but selfishness, laziness and sin seems to always be in the way. Take charge my Lord of this vessel so it may be of use to you.

Scripture Psalms 111:10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; A good understanding have all those who do His commandments. His praise endures forever.

Observation: I like this verse because of the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. Without the knowledge of our God nothing else matters. It doesn’t matter how smart you are or what credentials you might have, if you don’t know God. God should be what we study, to know Him and what He desires of us. We should exalt our Lord and fear not obeying Him. He holds our lives in His hand both for now and all eternity.

Application: I need to know my God more each day. I need to stay in His word and obey it, I should be meditating on the scriptures I read each day and ask God for guidance to understand. My knowledge of my Lord needs to grow each day above anything else I learn. The direction I take in my life needs to be grounded in His word and my life needs to show that.

Prayer: MY Lord, my teacher, teach me the things of you. Help me understand my purpose in this life and fulfill it in glory and honor to you. I’m your servant and your student give me wisdom to do what is right for I know when I ask for it your word tells me you will give me it abundantly. I love you Lord use me to glorify You.