April 6 - I’ve seen Jesus
Contributed by
William Velez, a sophomore business and music double major from the Dominican Republic
on Tuesday April 06
Scripture
Psalm 31:9-16
Be gracious to me, O LORD, for I am in distress; my eye wastes
away from grief, my soul and body also.
For my life is spent with sorrow, and my years with sighing; my
strength fails because of my misery, and my bones waste away.
I am the scorn of all my adversaries, a horror to my neighbors, an
object of dread to my acquaintances; those who see me in the
street flee from me.
I have passed out of mind like one who is dead; I have become
like a broken vessel.
For I hear the whispering of many— terror all around!— as they
scheme together against me, as they plot to take my life.
But I trust in you, O LORD; I say, "You are my God."
My times are in your hand; deliver me from the hand of my
enemies and persecutors.
Let your face shine upon your servant; save me in your steadfast
love.
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Devotion
Many times I find myself at rock bottom, feeling like I am trapped in
a birdcage that has been locked and the keys to open the birdcage
have been swallowed by someone who wants to do me evil (like in
the cartoons). The worst part of this is that I feel lonely and full of
despair, trying to serve God, but at the same time failing in my
attempt to be faithful. It is amazing to see how easily we find
ourselves obeying our desires before obeying the One who we
claim is our Lord and Redeemer. I do not know how many times I
have been at a spiritual high point, and all of a sudden it feels as if
I were falling from a plane without parachute. At that moment I feel
that my strength has gone away because of my afflictions. I grow
weak and there is no more solution to my brokenness.
Then I look up and realize that my fall was deep indeed but that
God’s hand is extended to me; that all I have to do is reach for it
and trust Him. I do not deserve God’s grace but He has been
merciful and faithful to me even in my weakness and He has
shown me His hand. I claim Him as my God and I put my life in His
hands asking for His love to heal me and forgive me and lead me
through the rough paths that I have to walk.
In the most difficult times in my life, I have seen Jesus coming to
rescue me; to tell me that He still loves me and is ready to forgive
me. He has been there even when I turn my back on Him in
disobedience. I know that He is there looking after me, loving me
and showing His mercy on my life.
Lord: Thanks so much for showing me how your hand is at work in
me! Let your light shine on my journey and my life, and use me as
your servant!
“I trust in you Oh Lord; You are my God; My times are in your
hands”(Psalm 31:14-15a). Yours I am, take me and break me
again and mold me as you want so I can be your pride, Oh Father.
“Save me in your unfailing love” (Psalm 31:16b). Amen.
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