"Secure, NOT Safe" August 1 Readings: Job 13-14, Acts 24, Psalm 89:28–34, Proverbs 19:7–9
Reading the Bible in 2025
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.
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: Job 13-14, Acts 24, Psalm 89:28–34, Proverbs 19:7–9
Scriptures linked to Bible Gateway in ESV version
Daily Devotional: Secure, NOT Safe
The lengthy Psalm 89 trumpets the faithfulness of our God - a faithfulness we experience by grace, even though we don't deserve it. In verses 30-34, we learn two important lessons.
First, it is a serious thing to take God's faithfulness lightly and use it as an excuse to sin. The fact that God is so good, so forgiving, and so faithful ought to motivate us to gratitude, to holiness, and to Christ-centered living. It ought never to make us careless, as if our sin did not matter to God.
Speaking of the sins that might come (and did) in the lives of the descendants of King David, God gave this warning, in verses 30-32.
It is no small thing to ignore God's grace and faithfulness and embrace the life of sin. God promised that if they did so, he would hold them to account for their rebellion with his rod of discipline.
Hebrews 13 tells us that God disciplines us as a father disciplines his children. He loves us too much to allow us to wander into sin and stay in it comfortably. God will come after rebellious and disobedient children with loving discipline.
Verses 33-34 go on to remind us that even in this discipline, God remains eternally faithful.
God promised that even when David's offspring failed at their end of the covenant, he would stay faithful to his commitment. He will discipline, even harshly, but he will not violate his covenant or abandon his people.
God never leaves us or forsakes us. Even his discipline is designed to bless us, to draw us near to him so that we might experience his faithfulness daily. I might be disciplined by God, but I will not be abandoned by him. Even when I fail, he is faithful to his covenant of grace with me.
This passage is both a warning and a great comfort. We are reminded that sin is serious in God's eyes, and he will wield the rod to correct us. But we are comforted that he will never abandon his work in us, but will always love, always restore, and always work to conform us to Christ.
We are secure in Christ, but that does not mean that it is safe for us to live in sin. Our big and powerful God is not to be trifled with!
First, it is a serious thing to take God's faithfulness lightly and use it as an excuse to sin. The fact that God is so good, so forgiving, and so faithful ought to motivate us to gratitude, to holiness, and to Christ-centered living. It ought never to make us careless, as if our sin did not matter to God.
Speaking of the sins that might come (and did) in the lives of the descendants of King David, God gave this warning, in verses 30-32.
If his sons abandon my instructionand do not live by my ordinances,if they dishonor my statutesand do not keep my commands,then I will call their rebellionto account with the rod,their iniquity with blows.
It is no small thing to ignore God's grace and faithfulness and embrace the life of sin. God promised that if they did so, he would hold them to account for their rebellion with his rod of discipline.
Hebrews 13 tells us that God disciplines us as a father disciplines his children. He loves us too much to allow us to wander into sin and stay in it comfortably. God will come after rebellious and disobedient children with loving discipline.
Verses 33-34 go on to remind us that even in this discipline, God remains eternally faithful.
But I will not withdrawmy faithful love from himor betray my faithfulness.I will not violate my covenant
God promised that even when David's offspring failed at their end of the covenant, he would stay faithful to his commitment. He will discipline, even harshly, but he will not violate his covenant or abandon his people.
God never leaves us or forsakes us. Even his discipline is designed to bless us, to draw us near to him so that we might experience his faithfulness daily. I might be disciplined by God, but I will not be abandoned by him. Even when I fail, he is faithful to his covenant of grace with me.
This passage is both a warning and a great comfort. We are reminded that sin is serious in God's eyes, and he will wield the rod to correct us. But we are comforted that he will never abandon his work in us, but will always love, always restore, and always work to conform us to Christ.
We are secure in Christ, but that does not mean that it is safe for us to live in sin. Our big and powerful God is not to be trifled with!
Father, I thank you that your mercy and faithfulness are great. May I never treat that lightly, but walk in holiness and purity in all things.
Consider God's Word:
Which of these four passages spoke most clearly to you today?
Is there sin in your life that needs to be confessed and dealt with that was revealed in one of these passages?
Is there something in your life that needs to change?
Is there a struggle in your life that one of these passages spoke to?
Do you think God is obligated to make everything work out for you, to protect you from all harm, trouble, and trial? Consider where you might have gotten that idea. Is it biblically valid?
Remember that God's promise is not freedom from trouble but his constant presence whatever the trouble is.
Remember that God's promise is not freedom from trouble but his constant presence whatever the trouble is.
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