- I give you thanks, O Lord, with my whole heart; before the gods I sing your praise… Psalm 138:1 – Is there certain places or certain people that are more difficult for you be a follower of Jesus in front of? The psalmist here openly says he gives thanks to God with his entire heart yet not only in the easy places but in front of the other false gods their nation had all around. That meant following God in front of people who followed other things. I would bet there was times that caused some big problems for him. Can you imagine in today’s time people having different beliefs on things and someone being upset due to someone else displaying their opposing beliefs in front of them? (This would never happen in today’s time…) Yet with knowledge it may not go well, the psalmist stood fast and continued to praise God. So if there is anything in the world to stand firm for, in the midst of opposition, with the knowledge hate very well may be thrown at you, it’s your choice to follow Jesus. Just make sure in your standing you’re doing it in love, not giving them ammunition for their hate. When Jesus hung on the cross, in worship of the Father in the greatest of ways, even then He chose to love those around Him. We should too. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 1502
- For though the Lord is high, he regards the lowly, but the haughty he knows from afar. Psalm 138:6 – As David writes this psalm I wonder if what was said concerning his anointing as king of Israel comes to his mind. In 1 Samuel 16:7 we see the truth that God looks at men differently than men look at each other. Men look at the outward appearances and make judgements accordingly, but God looks at the heart of the man. Here in this psalm we see that God sees all, the lowly and the prideful. God though sees them differently than the world of man sees them. Often it’s the lowly, the down and out, that get overlooked and thought of from afar, but the lofty, well-to-do people are regarded with much care and attention. God reveals His way is the opposite of man’s way. The lowly are seen and cared for yet those with prideful, boastful hearts are kept at an arm’s length. It’s important for us to know who the Lord’s eyes are falling upon and what sort of heart he looks down on with little regard. God sees and cares for the broken and hurting, so should we. A prideful heart is opposing to God, so should it be to us. If the Lord has a different way of seeing man than man sees man, then we should seek to see people as the Lord sees people. And finally remember when you are in that lowly spot, the Lord’s eyes are upon you and His loving hands are working for your good. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 2269
Daily DEVO 