"Trust God; Do Good" March 19 Readings: Deuteronomy 15-16, Mark 15:1–20, Psalm 37:1–7, Proverbs 8:30-31

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Reading the Bible in 2023

Each day this year we will read a selection from the Old Testament, the New Testament, a portion of the Psalms, and part of Proverbs. By the end of the year, you will have read the entire Bible. We read this way to give you a bit of variety. In reading four portions of God's word in a day, one of them is bound to speak to your life!

NOTE: if you get behind, do not give up. Read today's readings and try to catch up when you have a chance. The goal is not to "accomplish a task" but to meet God in his word. Read the word. Also, if you are short on time, READ GOD'S WORD and skip my devotional!

Bible Readings: Deuteronomy 15-16, Mark 15:1–20, Psalm 37:1–7, Proverbs 8:30-31

    Scriptures linked to Bible Gateway in ESV version 

Daily Devotional:  Trust God; Do Good

Have you heard about what the Astrofragarian cult is doing? It's awful! Actually, I just made that one up, but rumors and social media conspiracy theories abound about terrible things in our world being done by terrible people. A few of them are even true. The fact is, we live in a sinful world and in a world like this, sinful people sometimes do terrible things. 

Christian people often live in fear and dismay at the wickedness of this evil world. Some get so wrapped up in conspiracy theories and the actions of darkness that they lose sight of the power and goodness of God and shipwreck spiritually. They act as if evil is sovereign and God is either helpless or disinterested in the events of this world. Some grant excess power to the enemy and the evil actions of sinners, assuming that somehow they can thwart the will and ways of God with their depravity. 

The interplay of God's sovereignty and human sin is a mystery. The Bible makes it clear that God is writing this world's story and also that every human being is responsible for their sinful choices. God is not the author of sin. Still, we are never going to completely understand how a God who is in control of everything can use sin for his glory. 

David, in Psalm 37, does not try to figure it all out or explain all the mysteries. He simply tells the people of Israel how they need to live in the light of these two realities. There are two principles he states that are good for us to remember. 

1. Do not  be agitated by evildoers (verse 1) 

David reminded his readers that while evil men do evil deeds, God's people do not need to either be stressed out and afraid of them nor do we need to envy them and the things they do.  Though it seems that these evil people and their schemes often succeed (and often, that is only in the fearful minds of people), God promises to deal with them. Like grass, they spring up and then wither. 

2. We must trust in God and do good. (verse 3)

Our first duty is to trust God and do what is right and good, to obey God and walk in his ways. The evil actions of evil people never excuse us from doing what is right. "But..." NO! There is never an excuse based on what others are doing or how badly someone else treated you. We do not get a pass on trusting God and obeying him because of how badly someone else behaved. 

Our duty is to delight ourselves in God. 

My friend, God knows the evil in this world and it is not stressing him out. He is still accomplishing his will and causing his plan to be accomplished. You need not be afraid and you do not have to try to sort things out on your own. The evil people of this world will have their day but our God is still in control and he will stand supreme. 

Father, thank you for your sovereign authority and glory. May I trust you and not be made fearful by the evil works of evil men. 

 

Consider God's Word:

Did one of these passages speak strongly to you today? Which one? 
Is there sin in your life that needs to be confessed and dealt with that was revealed in one of these passages? 
Is there a struggle in your life that one of these passages spoke to? 

Are you deeply involved in social media conspiracies and spreading fear about the works of evil people? 
Do you trust God to accomplish his work in this world and in you? 


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