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Help us, O God of our salvation, for the glory of Your name; and deliver us, and provide atonement for our sins, for Your name’s sake! – Psalm 79:9

What should you do when you are reaping the consequence of your own actions. Like the Psalmist, you should first ask God to deliver you from your predicament, not because you deserve to be delivered but because He is a loving and merciful God. Second, you should ask God to make amends for your sins and the things that you have done to others. And third, you should ask God to forgive you and cleanse you from your unrighteousness so that you do not repeat the mistakes. As simple as this sounds, it is easier said than done! Have you found yourself trying to justify what you did and why you did it? Rather than try to justify your wrongdoing, you stand a better chance at redemption when you just confess that you messed up. Don’t prolong your suffering by holding unto your reasons. If you did it, just admit it, let God forgive it, then forget about it.

I choose to run to God for forgiveness instead of justifying my foolishness

He also chose David His servant, and took him from the sheepfolds – Psalm 78:70

David was busy tending his father’s sheep when God drew him out of obscurity and anointed him as king, thrusting him into the limelight. I don’t know where you are today while you are reading this devotional, but the truth is this: God can take you from the farthest, loneliest place on earth and thrust you into the limelight. All He is looking for is a person who has the heart of David. This passage tells us that David was His servant. This means that David lived to serve the God and to do His will. Are you someone who is bold and courageous to do the will of God to please Him. If so, you are a natural candidate to be shifted away from obscurity and to be thrust into whatever spotlight God desires. He did so with David, He did so with Moses, He did so with Caleb, and also with ordinary fishermen. Why do you think He cannot do the same with you? God sees you right where you are even if no one else sees you or acknowledges you. You are never invisible to Him.

God see me right where I am and wants to use me mightily

Yes, again and again they tempted God, and limited the Holy One of Israel -Psalm 78:41

Did you know that it is possible to limit God through our unbelief and lack of trust? The currency that releases the outflow of the grace (power and unmerited favor of God) in our life is faith. Without faith, there is no grace, and without grace, there is no glory. What would you do if you truly believed and trusted God? What opportunities would you take? What enterprise would you start? What risks would you take? When we don’t see God’s goodness in our lives, many times it has nothing to do with God being silent but has everything to do with us allowing our fears to silent His voice. Sometimes it is because we allow our insecurities to rule over us. That is why, it is important to be courageous – that is to move forward despite our fears – just like Joshua had to be when he became the leader of Israel. Don’t let your unbelief, fears, and insecurities limit the power of God over your life. Choose to trust His words and walk in it, and you will experience new areas of God’s grace in your life.

I choose to be bold and courageous rather than limit the power of God in my life

You led Your people like a flock by the hand of Moses and Aaron – Psalm 77:20

History tells us that at times people do not know what to do and they need someone to lead them. In these times, The Good Shepherd partners with people who answer His call – like Moses and Aaron – to lead people from a broken place to a place of bounty. God does this with us. He chooses people to guide us in life. These people end up being instrumental in our life. Sometimes it is a teacher, a parent, or an uncle who guides us. Sometimes He arranges a powerful random encounter with a stranger. This is God working through people to lead us to a bountiful place. Can you think of someone who has been instrumental in your life? Now, what God did for you; He wants to do through you. God desires to partner with you to be a source of joy to a sheep that is looking for the right shepherd. Who is God calling you to shepherd today?

I will be God’s hands and feet to someone in need

I have considered the days of old, the years of ancient times – Psalm 77:5

Are you looking to study science, philosophy, engineering? Are you wanting to know more about relationships, finance, and leadership? In your studying, don’t forget the importance of studying history. History gives us context and also helps us to see and understand patterns. When we understand patterns, we can anticipate what is about to happen next and position ourselves accordingly. The author of the book of proverbs says that a prudent man foresees evil and hides himself (Proverbs 27:12). You don’t always need new revelation from God to know what is going to happen because history predicts the future often. The same author said that there is nothing new under the sun. When you understand that what has happened is what will happen (Ecclesiastes 1:9), then the future becomes less uncertain, and you can better plan and prepare for the future.

It is easier to predict what will happen when I understand what has happened

He shall cut off the spirit of princes; He is awesome to the kings of the earth – Psalm 76:12

Though we are royalty (kings) as children of God, there are spiritual forces of wickedness that try to rule over us. The bible calls these forces thrones, dominions, princes and principalities that try to usurp our authority and seek to exercise control over our attitudes, ways of thinking, and actions. Thankfully, God is awesome towards us in that He cuts off the wicked and wrongful spirit of these unholy influences from our lives. When we say we serve an awesome God, it is not just because of what He has done for us, it is not just because of what He does for, it is also because of what He does in us. He defeats the enemies of our soul, changes us from the inside out. changes our name, builds our confidence, and gives our lives a complete makeover. He turns our mourning into joy, gives us beauty for ashes, and gives us a new beginning. What an awesome God we serve!

The Lord works in me so I can experience more of His awesomeness

But God is the Judge: He puts down one and exalts another – Psalm 75:7

There are many attributes of God, all of which work as a collective simultaneously on the earth, and each of which impact people at God’s appointed time. One of these attributes is justice! We wouldn’t trust God if He wasn’t just – if he meted our justice with uneven scales. We can trust and rest in God’s judgement because we know He doesn’t show partiality to man. The word of God tells us that uneven scales are an abomination to Him. Thus, we see that He does not favor someone based on their race or gender. He doesn’t judge based on family history, money, beauty, intelligence, affiliation or other factors that bias our judgement. We don’t see the full picture, but God does. We may not understand the heart intentions of people, but God knows them. Trust in God’s judgement with regards to people, knowing that consequences – whether good or bad – always follow at the appointed time. Don’t let what you see in a short time window that seems unfair turn you away from Him. He is a just God.

Because I know God, I know that justice will be done

For God is my King from of old, working salvation in the midst of the earth – Psalm 74:12

There is a King that works salvation, and there are earthly kings that work destruction. There is a King that calls His people sons and daughters, and there are kings that call their people subjects. There is a King who gave us His best, and there are kings who keep the best for themselves.  If you need salvation (deliverance), it is best to journey with the King. The King’s job is and has always been to work salvation on the earth. From the time of Adam until today, His work has always been to elevate us to a better place – whether that is getting rid of idolatry or inspiring man’s creativity and technological innovation. God is always working for us and not against us; He is working for our good and not our evil. That is why you can always trust Him. Can you say the same of earthly rulers? Stop looking for kings to give you only what God can give you. He has  great things stored up for you. All you need to do is walk in His way to receive them from His hands.

I will put my trust in a God and not in a political leader

You will guide me with Your counsel, and afterward receive me to glory – Psalm 73:24

We can either challenge God and live life according to the dictates of our own thinking or we can partner with God, trusting Him and relying on Him to guide us. When the Psalmist spent time with God and acted upon God’s guidance, He quickly realized that life was best lived under God’s counsel. With God, we avoid having to know everything under the sun to be comfortable making decisions, we escape making the wrong decisions, and we escape our own biases. As our relationship with God grows, we stop questioning Him and we just go with what He says even if we cannot understand the genius behind His directives. How many times have you looked back and realize what God was doing? I know I have! The delay you are facing is not denial. The delay is meant to increase your discipline so that you can reach your destiny. The hardship you are facing is not meant to lead you to horror but meant to help you hone your humility and obedience to God. Seek the glorious counsel of God and incline your heart to understand His words so that you may walk wisely. The end of it all is glory for you.

Glory is the end of listening to God’s counsel

When I thought how to understand this – it was too painful for me – Psalm 73:16

There are things that happen in life that are difficult and painful to understand – the foolish thing that you did that cost you’re your relationship; the aweful thing that someone did that robbed you of your innocence and changed the trajectory of your life. The more we think about these things, the angrier we get or the more confused we become. Why did this happen? Why did that happen? What does this mean? The Psalmist had the same questions. He could not reconcile his thoughts until he went into the sanctuary of God and started to look at things with the help of God. When things on earth do not make any sense, we need a spiritual, heavenly, and eternal perspective. There are just some things that we cannot understand with our finite minds. There are things that only God can help us get through. We can choose to struggle in our own thoughts or seek His strength. When we seek Him, He will answer us, and we will find the peace we have been seeking.

God understands what I do not, so I will seek Him for understanding and healing