PSALM 125:3-5

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 8, 2007

GOD’S STRENGTH KEEPS US!

3 For the scepter of wickedness shall not rest
On the land allotted to the righteous,
Lest the righteous reach out their hands to iniquity.
4 Do good, O LORD, to those who are good,
And to those who are upright in their hearts.
5 As for such as turn aside to their crooked ways,
The LORD shall lead them away
With the workers of iniquity. Psalm 125:3-5 (NKJV)

This is the second of two Devotions based on Psalm 125.

Yesterday we meditated on being surrounded by God’s Love and Strength. Today, in the last half of this Psalm we consider why God’s Strength and Love are so needed in each life.

The scepter of wickedness continues to reach out and tempt us to reach for it, to grasp it and to invite, and to take it for our lives. I am not sure how the scepter was described in those Old Testament times. Today I see the scepter as that which tempts us to turn our backs upon God. We could all list many temptations that daily come to us through television, from advertising and from the lifestyles of some of the rich and/or famous.

I would hope that you might consider an even more damaging scepter, our selves. Why is it that we grasp the scepter of wickedness that moves us farther and farther away from God? Whatever we want to do well in life, we work at it. We study, we ask questions, we review what we have done in order to see how we can do it better. People who like to cook are always looking for better recipes or trying to improve theirs. All athletes are seeking ways to gain more strength (sometimes with illegal drugs) and to improve their skills. People in all walks of life continue to read about advances in their field so they can be up to date. This is all good as God wants each of us to make the best use of the talents He has given us.

At the same time, here is where the scepter of wickedness seeks to rest among us, waiting for us to grasp it. The scepter urges us to put aside any desire to study, work at, or ask questions concerning being a Child of God. The scepter says you only have enough time to keep up with worldly things; don’t worry about God. It is so tempting to say I don’t have time to pray or read the Bible or sit and review my life to see if I am walking with God or waking away from Him.

If we daily turn to God and ask to be surrounded by His Strength and Love, then that scepter shall not entice us away as God will protect us from reaching out to grab it. This is so important. God will do good to those who are good and upright in their hearts.

A warning – You can choose not to spend time in prayer, Bible Study, and meditation, and walk the ways of the world instead. But know this from the last verse, “As for such as turn aside to their crooked ways, The LORD shall lead them away, With the workers of iniquity.”

WE PRAY:

When He shall come with trumpet sound,
Oh may I then in Him be found.
Dressed in His righteousness alone,
Faultless to stand before the throne. AMEN

“MY HOPE IS BUILT” from cyberhymnal.org

A SUGGESTION FOR LIVING THE DEVOTION

If you think it is impossible to find time for prayer or Bible or Devotional reading, try this. Leave for work or for an appointment ten minutes early. Then when you arrive in the parking area, use that ten minutes for prayer or reading. If you don’t want to be seen doing this by others you know, then stop at a business parking lot along the way. A WARNING: It would be best if you do this in your work parking area as you might get so involved in those ten minutes, you could be late for work, if you are not already there.