Psalm 54-56
How do you handle stress? Put your trust in God. That’s the only sure way to face the giants in your life.
David was a master at this. When we are reading psalms every day, we can’t help but realize that this man had more than the ordinary share of troubles. Yet he was God’s man of the hour; the apple of His eye. So what’s the matter with all of those people who were chasing him around? They were being led by the devil and didn’t even know it.
Every life has turmoil from time to time – some more than others. David had lots because of his position as God’s man. There were many who were jealous of him and many others who were being used by the devil to attack God’s point man.
Yet David had a secret. He truly trusted in God, and knew that his God would protect and deliver him in every situation. That’s the attitude we all need to gain in order to have the productive life we desire.
“In God I have put my trust, I shall not be afraid. What can man do to me?”(56:11)
So where is your battle? Is there someone at work or at school who seems to be opposed to all that you do? Are your children or spouse experiencing animosity from those around them? Put your trust in God.
When we do things God’s way – trusting in Him and being obedient to His leading, we will see His hand order our steps. He will deal with others on our behalf.
Romans 3
The early chapters of Romans are truly significant as they introduce the gospel – not only to the Jews, but to the Gentiles.
You can imagine how hard it is for the Jews to understand these new ideas which seem to be so contrary to all that they have known. They have been taught all of their lives that the law was the way to have a relationship with God, and now they are being told something else.
A new day has dawned, and it takes a heart ready to let go of tradition in order to truly follow God. Only the leading of the Holy Spirit can bring these faithful Jews to the true knowledge of what God is doing in this day.
Paul is attempting to explain that the law was good, but no one was made righteous by the law. Righteousness came as a result of the Messiah paying the sin debt and extending that gift to those who would believe in Him.
In fact, he goes on to say, no one is righteous on their own. There is no one who can claim they are just a good person without Jesus. (That’s why other religions can never suffice for a relationship with God).
“All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus.” (V. 23-24)
All have sinned, but all can be saved if they believe in Jesus and accept His sacrifice for themselves. It may be hard to understand, but it’s true. Whether your sin seems great or small in the eyes of man, God sees it the same. Man is in a fallen state without the salvation experience provided by Jesus. But with Jesus, all men can be saved.
That’s why it’s the gospel. Gospel means “good news,” and it’s indeed good news.
I hope that you have accepted Him as your Savior. If not, you can do it right now. If you have accepted Him, let your mind ponder these things as you go about your day. God’s plan is bigger than any of us have grasped. There is always more to learn; more to understand. Let Him teach you.
