Devotional for January 24

Your Servant, Lord, Loves Your Word

137 You are righteous, Lord,
    and your laws are right.
138 The statutes you have laid down are righteous;
    they are fully trustworthy.
139 My zeal wears me out,
    for my enemies ignore your words.
140 Your promises have been thoroughly tested,
    and your servant loves them.
141 Though I am lowly and despised,
    I do not forget your precepts.
142 Your righteousness is everlasting
    and your law is true.
143 Trouble and distress have come upon me,
    but your commands give me delight.
144 Your statutes are always righteous;
    give me understanding that I may live. Psalm 119:137-144 (KJV)

The Prayer Appointed for This Week

Give us grace, O Lord, to answer readily the call of our Savior Jesus Christ and proclaim to all people the Good News of his salvation, that we and the whole world may perceive the glory of his marvelous works; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. Book of Common Prayer

The Morning Inspiration

Take care when cultivating your affections, because the gravity-like pull of any sin the heart is set upon can only be overcome by willpower for short periods of time. When willpower is exhausted, every course of action will move in the direction of the affections like a self-driving car heading home. Adversity and fatigue are the great tests of our faith. It is easy to have faith in God when all is going well, but do you still believe you have God’s favor when the circumstances of life become cloudy, dark, and tossed about by contrary winds? The storms of this life are meant to drive us deeper into the only safe harbor, which is Jesus Christ. The carnal mind walks by sight, trusting only in its own understanding, and relying on its own strength. The thoughts and actions of the carnal mind are dependent on the feelings that arise from circumstances. It is not to be so for the spiritually minded. We are to walk by faith, trusting in God, and our thoughts and actions are to be depended on truth regardless of any feelings that arise from circumstances. The Word of God is truth. This is our Rock. On Christ Jesus we can always depend, and now is the only acceptable time to do it. Sing songs of praise when you are happy, and pray until every cloud is chased away when you’re not.

Today’s Question to Consider

What is the best thing to do when you don’t feel like praying?