From: July 28, 2024
“My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (Psalm 22:1 ESV).
David wrote this Messianic psalm that prophesied not only what Christ would say on the cross but the manner of His death as well. For centuries before the Romans had devised the torture of crucifixion, David described it some detail in this psalm. Psalm 22 contains several of the over 300 Messianic prophecies found in the Old Testament.
The psalm points to Jesus, the Son of David, who took our place. He took our sin, our separation, and our death. He offers us His righteousness, His relationship with the Father and eternal life. He that had never experienced a moment of separation from the Father was forsaken for our sakes. So that He cried out in anguish, fulfilling the Scripture and expressing His real agony. Yet, the Father raised Him up on the third day, and in the same way He shall raise up all those who believe in Him in the Last Day.
Christ Jesus was forsaken that we might be accepted.
PRAYER: Dear Father, we believe in Your Son Jesus for the forgiveness of sins and for the gift of eternal life. We are accepted by You as Your very own children. Now through Jesus, you have promised to never leave nor forsake us. Thank You, Lord. Strengthen us this day to live for You. In Jesus’ name, amen.
From: July 28, 2023
“For everything comes from him and exists by his power and is intended for his glory. All glory to him forever! Amen” (Romans 11:36 NLT).
Paul’s benediction at the end of Romans 11 is all encompassing. It declares that all things come “from” God, for He is the Creator. All things exist through God, for He is the Sustainer. All things are made for God’s glory, for creation displays His “invisible attributes, namely, His eternal power and divine nature” (Rom. 1:20).
Finally, the glory of all things belong to God, for He is the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. He is the Lord over all things. And He has given authority over all things to His Son, Jesus Christ. Those who would deny God, deny themselves. For all things belong to Him. Those who would glory in themselves, are thieves. For all glory belongs to the Lord.
Therefore, let us give God the glory due Him!
PRAYER: Father, we are Yours. You have made us for Yourself and we give all glory to You alone for all that we are and all that we have and all that we will ever see or be. We rest in You. For You are above all things, yet You have stooped down to save us through Your Son, Jesus, whom we have believed. Today, we will worship You and serve You afresh. Tomorrow, we entrust into Your hands. In Jesus’ name, amen.
From: July 28, 2022
LEAVING A LEGACY OF BLESSING
Righteous parents who live a life of integrity, leave a legacy that continues to bless their children. Integrity is that crucial character trait of consistency and incorruptibility, so that one’s walk matches one’s talk. They are the same in private as they are in public. Because children see both the public and private lives of their parents, integrity is crucial. For integrity is the opposite of hypocrisy. And words that don’t match behavior incite rebellion. But those who walk in integrity before their children give them something worthy of following.
Those who observe their parent’s faith in Jesus practiced in the home, as well as in the church, are doubly blessed, both in this life and in the life to come.
Do you walk in integrity before your children? Will you leave a legacy of blessing to the next generation?
PRAYER: Dear Father, thank You for Jesus and the gift of the Holy Spirit. Fill us afresh this day that we might be empowered to live righteous lives of integrity. Watch over our children and grandchildren. We entrust them to You. Help us to leave them a holy legacy. In Jesus’ name, amen.
From: July 28, 2016
After Paul described the mystery of God’s salvation for Israel and the fulness of time for the Gentiles, he concluded with an exaltation of God’s wisdom and knowledge. Paul recognized that he was only scratching the surface of understanding God’s plans. He was only able to describe that which the Spirit had revealed to him. Yet, there remains a depth of God’s wisdom and knowledge that would take eternity to plumb, and still not reach its limit. How foolish are those creatures who would question the Creator’s judgments and ways. Their finite perceptions and understanding are so limited that they do not even know themselves, much less their Maker. How wonderful it is for those who have received God’s salvation through Jesus Christ. We have believed that which God has revealed, so that we might trust Him with that which remains a mystery.
From: July 28, 2015
David wrote this Messianic psalm that predicted not only what Christ would say on the cross but the manner of His death as well. Centuries before the Romans devised the torture of crucifixion, David described it in this psalm. Jesus, the Son of David took our place. He took our sin, our separation, and our death. He offers us His righteousness, His relationship with the Father and eternal life. He that had never experienced a moment of separation from the Father was forsaken for our sakes. So, He cried out in anguish, fulfilling the Scripture and expressing His real agony. Yet, the Father raised Him up, and in the same way He shall raise up all those who believe in Him in the Last Day.
From: July 28, 2012
David wrote this Messianic psalm that predicted not only what Christ would say on the cross but the manner of His death as well. The Son of David took our place, offering us His. He took our sin, our separation, and our death. He offers us His righteousness, His relationship with the Father and eternal life. God forsook Him to embrace us.