S. O. A. P.

Here’s Your 90 second AM Devotional!

S-cripture:

Psalm 78:38

Yet he was merciful; he forgave their iniquities and did not destroy them. Time after time he restrained his anger and did not stir up his full wrath.

O-bservation:

The writer of this powerful Psalm defends the Lord God of history. He presents us with the continual history of Israel’s rebellion against the Lord. God would punish them, but never annihilate them. In fact, the writer says, “Time After Time The Lord Restrained His Anger” and let Israel off without letting them see all He had in His arsenal.

A-pplication:

When my children were small, there were times when each one of them would tax me to the limits of my patience. After that, I was always tempted to just “Go Off” on the one causing me the most grief at the time. Thank God something would stop me from the inside. In the very middle of the anxiety, I would REMEMBER that they were just little boys, and thankfully I would restrain my immediate anger. In the very next verse in this text, the writer says, “He remembered that they were but flesh, a passing breeze that does not return” (vs. 39). I’m sure there have been times throughout my life that God has just wanted to work me over because of my sin and rebellion. However, because of His great love for all of us He stops and remembers that we’re just kids, and that’s when He initiates His … “Holy Restraint!”

P-rayer:

Dear Jesus,

How I thank You this AM that over and over You stop and show me Your “Holy Restraint.” I’m sure I don’t say thank You enough. After all these cries for leniency, You should have whacked me by now. I’m so glad You didn’t. Amen