BBD 10.02.14 Better Than Life (Classic)
Posted by: theburningbushdevotional <theburningbushdevotional@...>
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The Burning
Bush Devotional
Classic
from 2002
10.02.14
Better
Than Life
So I have looked for You in the sanctuary, to see Your power and Your
glory. Because Your loving kindness is better than life, my lips shall praise
You. - Psalm 63:2-3.
When David wrote the 63rd Psalm he was in the wilderness fleeing for his
life. I am amazed at how David, even in the most difficult circumstances;
continues to turn to God, continues to trust God, and continues to praise God.
I also marvel at Christians today in the midst of their own trials,
tribulations, and even persecutions who continue to praise and serve God. I
receive emails nearly every day from people who are going through very
difficult things in their lives, but still they persist in praising and serving
God.
The apostle Paul who also knew a little about serving
under difficult conditions, tells us in 1 Corinthians 15:57-58, “But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory
through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast,
immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is
not in vain in the Lord.” What a
wonderful testimony of faith is given when those who from outward appearances
have little reason to praise God; but not only praise Him, but continue to
serve Him. Paul gives us the assurance that our “labor is not in vain in the lord.”
Why do Christians continue on in praising God, and
serving Him during difficult times? Because they have the witness of the Spirit
within (1 John 5:10a), and as Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. Also we
have come to believe and know that You are the Christ, the Son of the living
God (John 6:68).”
So today if you are under pressure from the world and
thinking about giving up, or giving in, remember the great example we have of
those who have gone before us. Keep on praising and serving God, because as
David says, “Your loving kindness is better than life.” Keep on praising and serving God, because as Peter
points out there is nowhere else to go because, “You (Jesus) have the words of eternal life.” Finally,
keep on praising and serving God because as the apostle Paul says, “your labor is not in vain.” So my much
beloved brothers and sisters in Christ, continue to “be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord.” “Let
us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our
lips, giving thanks to His name (Hebrews 13:15).”
Copyright © 2002-2014. Ed
Wrather. The Burning Bush website has been online since January 31, 1998. On
June 8, 1998 the email version of the Burning Bush Devotional was first sent.
Ed Wrather began writing devotionals in the early 1990s. The distribution of
these first devotionals was primarily through the Burning Bush Newsletter sent
to prison facilities throughout the United States and Canada.
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