1 00:00:02,759 --> 00:00:06,720 Speaker 1: Life Audio. For more resources to help you in your 2 00:00:06,800 --> 00:00:12,399 Speaker 1: walk with Christ, please visit us at Bible Studyheadquarters dot com. 3 00:00:12,720 --> 00:00:17,280 Speaker 1: You're listening to Daily devotions with Pastor John. I'm John Stangey, 4 00:00:17,760 --> 00:00:21,960 Speaker 1: and today's devotion is inspired by Psalm sixty eight, verse five, 5 00:00:22,040 --> 00:00:28,000 Speaker 1: which says, Father of the fatherless and protector of widows 6 00:00:28,480 --> 00:00:35,199 Speaker 1: is God in his holy habitation. We are vulnerable people. 7 00:00:36,080 --> 00:00:38,600 Speaker 1: We may not like to admit that to ourselves, but 8 00:00:38,720 --> 00:00:43,559 Speaker 1: it's true. We have weaknesses and limits. We're often the 9 00:00:43,840 --> 00:00:48,519 Speaker 1: victims of the poor decisions of others. We regularly struggle 10 00:00:48,520 --> 00:00:50,479 Speaker 1: with the effects of our own mistakes, as well as 11 00:00:50,520 --> 00:00:53,000 Speaker 1: the effects of the mistakes of those that we long 12 00:00:53,080 --> 00:00:56,720 Speaker 1: to be close to. We also bear the personal scars 13 00:00:56,720 --> 00:01:01,240 Speaker 1: of tragedies that we have had no control over. Our 14 00:01:01,280 --> 00:01:05,319 Speaker 1: struggles and our problems are real. But in the midst 15 00:01:05,360 --> 00:01:08,840 Speaker 1: of every personal battle, we can take heart because our 16 00:01:08,880 --> 00:01:12,959 Speaker 1: Lord is present with us. The Lord sees our needs, 17 00:01:13,520 --> 00:01:16,880 Speaker 1: He knows we have struggles. He sees those who have 18 00:01:16,920 --> 00:01:21,039 Speaker 1: not experienced the love or regular daily presence of an 19 00:01:21,040 --> 00:01:25,240 Speaker 1: earthly father. His compassionate eye is upon women who have 20 00:01:25,720 --> 00:01:30,520 Speaker 1: lost their husbands to death. Our greatest hope isn't in 21 00:01:30,680 --> 00:01:34,800 Speaker 1: having a life of earthly ease. Our true hope is 22 00:01:34,840 --> 00:01:38,399 Speaker 1: in Jesus Christ, who fills the voids left by the 23 00:01:38,480 --> 00:01:43,120 Speaker 1: struggles and tragedies that we experience on this earth. Jesus 24 00:01:43,240 --> 00:01:46,440 Speaker 1: Christ alone is the way to the Father. There is 25 00:01:46,480 --> 00:01:49,800 Speaker 1: no other name under heaven whereby we can be saved. 26 00:01:50,880 --> 00:01:55,760 Speaker 1: Our heavenly father is the father to the fatherless. He 27 00:01:55,920 --> 00:01:59,320 Speaker 1: is the one who holds in his hands a secure 28 00:01:59,440 --> 00:02:07,200 Speaker 1: future for the widow who trusts in him. Let's pray, Lord, 29 00:02:07,240 --> 00:02:09,200 Speaker 1: we thank you for your word, and we thank you 30 00:02:09,240 --> 00:02:10,840 Speaker 1: for the privilege that it is to be able to 31 00:02:10,840 --> 00:02:14,440 Speaker 1: look at this portion of scripture today from Psalm sixty eight. 32 00:02:15,120 --> 00:02:17,240 Speaker 1: And Lord, we're grateful for the things that you reveal 33 00:02:17,360 --> 00:02:20,519 Speaker 1: to us about your nature. When we look at this passage, 34 00:02:21,520 --> 00:02:25,200 Speaker 1: you tell us that you are the father of the fatherless. 35 00:02:25,280 --> 00:02:29,160 Speaker 1: You're the one who protects widows. You look after those 36 00:02:29,200 --> 00:02:34,320 Speaker 1: who have desperate needs, and you show us your compassion. Lord, 37 00:02:34,400 --> 00:02:37,600 Speaker 1: we're grateful that you do this. We know Lord, that 38 00:02:37,639 --> 00:02:39,440 Speaker 1: as we go throughout the course of our lives, we 39 00:02:39,560 --> 00:02:42,919 Speaker 1: experience all sorts of things that show us that many 40 00:02:43,000 --> 00:02:45,960 Speaker 1: people that we interact with aren't really looking after us. 41 00:02:46,720 --> 00:02:49,119 Speaker 1: There are people in our lives who primarily just look 42 00:02:49,160 --> 00:02:52,560 Speaker 1: after themselves, and they think very little about the kind 43 00:02:52,600 --> 00:02:55,760 Speaker 1: of effects they might have on other people. But Lord, 44 00:02:55,880 --> 00:02:59,200 Speaker 1: you fill in the gaps where others have let us down. 45 00:03:00,080 --> 00:03:03,520 Speaker 1: You care for those who have been abandoned, You look 46 00:03:03,639 --> 00:03:07,360 Speaker 1: after those who have lost loved ones. You grant us 47 00:03:07,560 --> 00:03:10,480 Speaker 1: your help and your assistance in the midst of our 48 00:03:10,520 --> 00:03:14,280 Speaker 1: greatest needs. And Father, we're grateful for the fact that 49 00:03:14,520 --> 00:03:17,679 Speaker 1: through faith in your son Jesus Christ, you have granted 50 00:03:17,760 --> 00:03:21,440 Speaker 1: us hope. Our hope isn't in an earthly life that 51 00:03:21,760 --> 00:03:26,040 Speaker 1: is issue free or filled with ease. We have hope 52 00:03:26,080 --> 00:03:29,120 Speaker 1: because we know you through your son, and in the 53 00:03:29,200 --> 00:03:34,720 Speaker 1: name of your son Jesus, we can confidently access your throne. So, Father, 54 00:03:34,800 --> 00:03:37,800 Speaker 1: we're grateful that you've made this possible for us, and 55 00:03:37,840 --> 00:03:40,560 Speaker 1: we're grateful for the kindness and the compassion that you 56 00:03:40,680 --> 00:03:44,880 Speaker 1: show to us in every circumstance we might find ourselves in. 57 00:03:46,360 --> 00:03:49,120 Speaker 1: Thank you, Lord for these reminders from your word today, 58 00:03:49,600 --> 00:03:53,440 Speaker 1: and we pray this all in Jesus' name. Amen.