Daily Devotional

Scripture Psalms 55:22 Cast your burden on the LORD, And He shall sustain you; He shall never permit the righteous to be moved.

Observation: When I teach my class on depression, I tell everyone how I tried to carry the burdens of life and couldn’t. I’d carry the burdens of the day, all my problems from the past and my worries about tomorrow. I will tell how there is no way to carry these burdens and how they can get so overwhelming that we just want to die and carry them no longer. God never wanted us to carry these burdens and He desires to take them from us if we will let Him. Allowing God to take our burdens is showing our Lord that we trust Him, but it is easier said than done.

Application: I tell others and teach this fact about burdens but each day I take them up and try to make it through another day. I need to learn how to set them down at the cross and never look back. I can’t move forward if I don’t and God has other things planned for me to do. I need to be focused on what God desires of me and not the burdens I carry. I need to let go and move.

Prayer: My Lord and my God. Thank you for desiring to take these burdens from me, I stored up so many. Help me let go and trust you, that I may never try to pick them up again, but to give them to You to discard. All I want to carry with me any longer is the desire to please you and finish this race you have put me in. Help me finish well. I love you Lord, may I show you that today.

Scripture Psalms 54:6 I will freely sacrifice to You; I will praise Your name, O LORD, for it is good.

Observation: What do I have to sacrifice to God? In the Old Testament they were called to sacrifice animals, birds and grains, but Jesus is the new covenant so should I still sacrifice? I’m called to sacrifice myself, my life for it no longer belongs to me anyway. Each day I’m to give my body as a living sacrifice to be holy and pure before my God. It is not a onetime sacrifice, but Jesus calls me to carry my cross each day. My sacrifice is me, all of the time, all that I have, my love and obedience needs to be laid at the alter each day, a sacrifice that should be offered gladly in honor to my God.

Application: I know what I need to do it. My life is to be lived for my Lord and no one else including my own evil desires. No trying to justify bad actions, using the precious time I have for selfish desires, my time and money are no longer mine, but I am now a steward of my Master. I need each day to offer myself as the living sacrifice with a glad heart and complete trust that God will use this sacrifice for Him.

Prayer: My Lord it is so hard to let go and give you this life completely, but in my heart that is my desire. That this life will honor you. I need you to fill me with the Holy Spirit and speak to your servant and guide me each day to complete the work you have set before me. I love you my Lord and I freely give you this life as a living sacrifice.

Scripture Psalms 53:1 To the Chief Musician. Set to ‘Mahalath.’ A Contemplation of David. The fool has said in his heart, “There is no God.” They are corrupt, and have done abominable iniquity; There is none who does good.

Observation: When you look around this world it must be what people are saying, there is no God. They immorality that we see, the sins that are committed must be that people don’t believe in God or otherwise they would fear Him and repent. You can watch the news on any given day and see the sinful way we act and how we break God’s commandments. Our own country has turned from God and the way He desires us to live, we have become so immoral as if God doesn’t exist. It’s hard to believe that God doesn’t turn His back and say we no longer exist. No one is good no not one.

Application: I need to recognize my Lord and my God each day and draw close to Him that I don’t sin. I need His protection from this world or I wall fall into the sin of this world. My nature is to sin so I need to stay away from my nature and draw my strength from God. I need to only fear God and be afraid only when I’m not in His will. There is a God and I need to bring others to Him for their salvation.

Prayer: My Lord this sinner comes before you on bended knee. I get so lost in this world and you are my sanctuary, may I abide in You that you will keep me safe and guide me in the way you want me to go. I love you and desire to honor you help me do this in glory and honor to your name.

Scripture Psalms 52:3 You love evil more than good, Lying rather than speaking righteousness.

Observation: I don’t think I love evil, but it seems I prefer it over doing good. My mind and heart are bent that way and I can’t seem to stay from evil thoughts or desires very long. My mind doesn’t go to helping my neighbor or loving them, my first thought is evil and to judge. I think of myself before other, which is contradictory to what my Lord commands me to do, which is evil. It is easier to tell I lie that makes me look good then the truth and except my mistakes, which again is evil and against God’s will.

Application: I know I can’t change on my own and only through the power of the Holy Spirit can anything good come from me. I need to be close to God to see all the evil I do and have Him change me. I need to only tell the truth no matter what the consequences might be, because that is the only way I can honor my Lord. I need to watch my thoughts and words to make sure that they glorify God and help others. I need to do good over evil and when I fail, I need to humble myself before my Lord and beg for forgiveness.

Prayer: My Lord this evil man comes before you and desires to be good. I try each day, but fail miserably and I know I will continue to do so unless you change me. I give you this life as a living sacrifice, make it holy and pleasing to you. I love you and want to be what you want me to be.

Scripture Psalms 51:10 Create in me a clean heart, O God, And renew a steadfast spirit within me.

Observation: I can’t create a new heart, no matter how bad I want to. I’m a sinner and in my own power I can’t do anything good. Only God can create a new heart and He’ll only do it if we desire it to be done. I’m tired of this evil heart I have I have my moments when it honors God but the moments are few and far between. I need my creator to change my heart and renew my spirit so I can fulfill the purpose that He created me for, because in my old ways nothing will get done.

Application: I need to constantly go before my Lord and ask and desire for Him to create a new heart in me. A heart that desires to serve and obey, a heart for my brothers and sisters needs above my own, a servant’s heart. I need to ask for a renewed spirit a spirit on fire for God, a fire that can only be quenched with fruitful works. I need to be focused on this and not let my heart wander off to other things. I need to be dedicated to my Lord and continue to desire a new heart that would please Him.

Prayer: My Lord create in me a new heart, O God and renew a steadfast spirit within me. I love you and desire above all to glorify You.

Scripture Psalms 50:15 Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify Me.”

Observation: How many prayers has God answered for you? I think back and the list is too long to remember them all. I have thanked Him for many and others I guess I just take for granted because the more He does for me the more I expect, but how many times have I glorified my Lord with answered prayers. How many times as have I gone to others to tell them the miracle God did in my life? There has been a few but each one should have been recognized and God should have been glorified. When I give my depression testimony I give God the glory, but He deserves the glory each day because each day is a miracle.

Application: I need to live a more transparent life that others can see God through me. I say I live for Him, but my life doesn’t show it. I’m supposed to be His servant, but I serve myself more than I do my Master. Each day He still hears my prayers and answers is unworthy servant and my creator deserves to be glorified. I might be the closest some people get to knowing God and my job is to introduce Him to others and tell of His wondrous love.

Prayer: Lord forgive me for taking You for granted and just accepting all You do for me without the proper recognition you deserve. May I always give you glory and obey you in everything. May my life reflect your love and bring you honor and glory. May I be the best advertisement of what you want for your children. Humble me before you that all others can see is You.

Scripture Psalms 49:3 My mouth shall speak wisdom, And the meditation of my heart shall give understanding.

Observation: I wish that was me that I spoke with wisdom and that the words that came out of my mouth would help others understand. Unfortunately, that isn’t the case to be able to do that you must be focused on God and helping others. Most of my thoughts are about me and the things that I want. I would have to invest more time in study to obtain wisdom which gives me less time on the couch watching television and meditating I would have to be focused on things without interruption of mindless thought which seems nearly impossible for me to do.

Application: I need to realize being able to accomplish these things would honor God. To be able to obtain wisdom and be able to share that wisdom with others would be a gift that would glorify my Lord. To be able to meditate would give me peace and understanding. I would be able to draw nearer to God and able to understand more clearly the path in which He wants me to travel.

Prayer: My Lord I desire to speak wisdom and be able to sit still and hear your voice, but apart from you I could nothing. I ask for these gifts and the strength to do them. I know this would honor you, but my mind is so set on me and the ways of this world. Help me Lord fill me with the Holy Spirit and use this useless man to do your will. I freely give myself to you, please take over.