“They that forsake the law praise the wicked: but such as keep the law contend with them.” Proverbs 28:4
We see this today as our leaders and people who have forsaken God’s Word defend and praise those who do evil. But those who hear God’s Word and live according to it contend with evildoers, seeking to show them the error of their ways and lead them to repentance and faith in Christ Jesus, God’s Son and mankind’s only Savior.
Grant that I hear and heed Your Word, O God, and repent of my sinful ways, looking in faith to Messiah Jesus and His atoning sacrifice for my sins; and give me boldness to openly confess the truth revealed in Your Word that others, too, might see the error of their ways and return unto You. Amen.
[Scripture is quoted from the King James Version of the Bible.]
“Wherefore the king hearkened not unto the people; for the cause was from the LORD, that he might perform his saying, which the LORD spake by Ahijah the Shilonite unto Jeroboam the son of Nebat.” 1 Kings 12:15
In 1 Kings 11-12, God executed judgment because of the idolatry and wickedness of King Solomon. To fulfill His words, God moved King Rehoboam to listen to the foolish counsel of his younger advisers and not lighten the burden Solomon had placed on the people. As a result, the northern tribes of Israel rebelled and the kingdom was divided. God, because of the sins of a nation and its rulers, may at times raise up evil and foolish rulers in order to execute His judgments upon them.
O God, have mercy upon us as a nation, pardon our wickedness and sin, and grant to us rulers who will lead in accord with Your commandments. We pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.
[Scripture is quoted from the King James Version of the Bible.]
“Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.” Luke 24:46-47
Why did God the Son come into the world? To suffer and die on the cross and make atonement for the sins of all. What does Jesus say is the mission of the Church and its ministers in this world? To preach repentance and forgiveness of sins in His name to all people, beginning right where we are.
Thank You, dear Lord Jesus, for coming into the world to redeem me from sin and eternal damnation. Grant that I hear Your Word, repent of my sins, and look to You and Your cross in faith for pardon and forgiveness. And grant to Your Church faithful pastors and ministers to preach to all nations repentance and remission of sins in Your name. Amen.
[Scripture is quoted from the King James Version of the Bible.]
“Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass. Cease from anger, and forsake wrath: fret not thyself in any wise to do evil. For evildoers shall be cut off: but those that wait upon the LORD, they shall inherit the earth.” Psalm 37:7-9
As believers in God’s promises, we know the end of the story. We need not fret when evildoers prosper and we suffer hardship and persecution. As believers, resting in the Word of the LORD, we wait patiently for the LORD to keep His Word and to fulfill all that He has promised. We turn from responding in anger and sin. Instead, we wait for the LORD, knowing that evildoers will be cut off and those who trust in God’s promises will inherit the earth.
Grant me faith to believe the promises of Your Word, O God, and to wait patiently for You to fulfill all You have promised. Grant that I not be moved to act in anger or wrath but to rest in You and await the eternal joys of heaven. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
[Scripture is quoted from the King James Version of the Bible.]
“Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass. And he shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light, and thy judgment as the noonday.” Psalm 37:5-6
Instead of walking in the ways of evildoers, God urges us to commit our ways to Him and to trust in His grace and mercy given us for the sake of Jesus Christ and His innocent sufferings and death on the cross in our stead. We seek first to be a part of God’s kingdom through faith in Jesus and commit our ways to the LORD, trusting in Him to lead us and guide us through life (cf. Matt. 6:33). Though it may not seem so at the moment, He will cause our righteousness to shine and His judgment in our favor to be as bright as the noonday light.
Give me the wisdom to commit my way to You, O LORD, trusting in Christ Jesus, my Savior, and walking in Your paths. Amen.
[Scripture is quoted from the King James Version of the Bible.]
