August 1, 2006 - Psalms 57-59 and Romans 4
Today we read about two men who put their faith in God, David and Abraham. Their faith made all of the difference. How is your faith? Are you listening for God to speak to you and then trusting Him to do what He said? That is faith. As you read, examine your own faith in light of the testimony of these two men.
In Psalms 57-59 David is still expressing his trust in God to take care of his enemies. These people have come against him, but it was not because of any fault of his own. (59:4) He has decided to run to God as his refuge. (57:1) He knows that God will cause them to fall into their own traps. (57:6) He wants everyone to know that God rewards the righteous and punishes the wicked. (58:11) All of these things show David's faith. He is not trying to attack them himself. He is not trying to figure out what to do. He is praying and trusting God to lead him and to see him through. I pray that is how all of us show faith during our difficult times.
Romans 4 is about the faith of Abraham. He had faith in God, and God saved him from his sins. It was not because of works, but through faith. This is important because it shows us that faith is not a work. Salvation is by grace, so we can't work for it or earn it. However, this chapter shows beyond a shadow of a doubt that faith is not a work. (v.16) Faith is simply realizing that we can't save ourselves from sin, and realizing that Jesus can because of His work on the Cross. Once He reveals that to us, we can trust His work, and He saves us as a free gift. That is the faith that saves. I pray that all of us know Jesus in this way. It is the only way to have eternal salvation.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Psalms 60-62 and Romans5.
In Psalms 57-59 David is still expressing his trust in God to take care of his enemies. These people have come against him, but it was not because of any fault of his own. (59:4) He has decided to run to God as his refuge. (57:1) He knows that God will cause them to fall into their own traps. (57:6) He wants everyone to know that God rewards the righteous and punishes the wicked. (58:11) All of these things show David's faith. He is not trying to attack them himself. He is not trying to figure out what to do. He is praying and trusting God to lead him and to see him through. I pray that is how all of us show faith during our difficult times.
Romans 4 is about the faith of Abraham. He had faith in God, and God saved him from his sins. It was not because of works, but through faith. This is important because it shows us that faith is not a work. Salvation is by grace, so we can't work for it or earn it. However, this chapter shows beyond a shadow of a doubt that faith is not a work. (v.16) Faith is simply realizing that we can't save ourselves from sin, and realizing that Jesus can because of His work on the Cross. Once He reveals that to us, we can trust His work, and He saves us as a free gift. That is the faith that saves. I pray that all of us know Jesus in this way. It is the only way to have eternal salvation.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Psalms 60-62 and Romans5.