Reading: Proberbs 13-15; Psalm 2
Father, why do we always try to separate ourselves from you? Why do we want to be our own gods and make our own plans? The kingdoms of the earth think they set their own destinies, but you laugh at their foolishness, knowing that you’ve established your everlasting Kingdom and installed Christ as its King. You have made the nations his heritage and are making the ends of the earth his possession. On that Day when your gospel has reached the corners of the earth your judgment will rain down on those kingdoms who plotted against you, and great will be their destruction. We should serve you in fear and rejoice with trembling at your power and authority. Father, guard my tongue, for if I continually use it I will sin against you. Encourage my spirit and my wife’s to discipline our children with diligence. It is exhausting at times, but if we love them we will persevere and you will give us the strength. Let me not live according to what seems right to me or any other human, but according to what is right to you. This is the path of life. Increase my fear and my wife’s fear of you that our children may see the confidence and hope we have in you. Make me slow to anger just like you, Father. Open my eyes continually to the plight of the poor so I do not overlook them. May I always remember that you delight in obedience, not sacrifice.
Grayson Pope 