Align with God, and triumph

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Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Devotions: Ps 5, 6, 10, 11; Dan 2:1-16; 1 Jn 2:1-11; Jn 17:12-19

Lord, hear my cry to You. I know You hate wickedness, evil and boasting; You destroy liars and bloodthirsty and deceitful mortals. But by Your abundant and steadfast love, I will enter Your house and household. Lead me, O Lord, in Your righteousness. Let all rejoice who take refuge in You, for You bless the righteous and cover them with your favor as with a shield. Be gracious to me today, Lord, as I continue to struggle with physical discomfort and extraordinary lack of sales. My body and soul are troubled, Lord—how long must I face these discouragements? I know YHWH has heard my supplication; I know He accepts my prayers, and that my enemies will be turned back and put to shame. Please, God, don’t be a bystander; let the arrogant experience the backlash of their wicked schemes. These people think they can ignore or even belittle the Almighty, as they plot to harm and despoil the poor and hapless. Rise up,YHWH, and act in Your righteous power; blot out wickedness. Hear and strengthen the meek, so that earthy people may strike terror no more. YHWH is enthroned in majesty; and the upright will behold His face!

In his second year, King Nebuchadnezzar had a troubling dream; he had his sorcerers and magicians summoned, and demanded that they tell him the dream and then its interpretation. They protested that this is impossible, but the king was adamant. If the professional wise men couldn’t do what the king demanded, they would be torn limb from limb and their homes laid to ruin. ‘No one on earth can do this,’ the Chaldeans answered. So the king, unrelenting, commanded that all the wise men of Babylon be destroyed. The condemned sought Daniel’s help, and Daniel questioned the king’s captain, who explained the situation to him. Daniel sought an appointment with the king to do what Nebuchadnezzar was demanding. Then, Daniel counseled with Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah, and told them to beseech God’s mercy. Then the mystery was revealed to Daniel in a night vision, and Daniel blessed the God of heaven.

John the Elder: ‘My little ones, I am writing to you so that you will not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus the Messiah, Who is righteous. He is the expiation for our sins and for those of the whole world. We may be sure we know Him if we keep His commands: those who abide in Him ought to walk as He walked. Beloved, I am writing you the old command which you have had from the beginning—yet this is also a new command, made true in Him, because the darkness is passing and the true light is already shining! Those who love their brothers and sisters are living in Christ’s light; those who profess love but act indifferently or hatefully are blind liars who stumble aimlessly in the darkness.’

Jesus addressed His Father: ‘While I was here, I have kept those You gave me; I have guarded them, and they are all kept—only the son of perdition is lost, as the scriptures foretell. But now, I Am coming to You; I say these things in this world, so that they may have My joy fulfilled in themselves. I have given them Your word, and the world has hated them, because like Me, they are not of this world. I am not praying that You take them out of the world, but rather that You protect them from the Evil One. Sanctify them in Your truth, Your word; and as You sent Me here, I Am sending them into the world. I consecrate Myself for their sake, that they also may be consecrated in truth.’