Devotional for February 19

The Lord Takes Pleasure in His People

1 Praise ye the Lord. Sing unto the Lord a new song, and his praise in the congregation of saints.
2 Let Israel rejoice in him that made him: let the children of Zion be joyful in their King.
3 Let them praise his name in the dance: let them sing praises unto him with the timbrel and harp.
4 For the Lord taketh pleasure in his people: he will beautify the meek with salvation.
5 Let the saints be joyful in glory: let them sing aloud upon their beds. Psalm 149:1-5 (KJV)

The Prayer Appointed for This Week

O Lord, you have taught us that without love whatever we do is worth nothing; Send your Holy Spirit and pour into my heart your greatest gift, which is love, the true bond of peace and of all virtue, without which whoever lives is accounted dead before you. Grant this for the sake of your only Son Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. Book of Common Prayer

The Morning Exhortation

The spiritual disciple of joy requires contentment and gratitude. God is not nearly as concerned about you being kept comfortable as He is about you being made holy. This is because without holiness we cannot participate in the divine nature. The temperature outside may be dropping. You may be cold, hungry, and sore. Be thankful and happily go to work anyway. Be comforted by the knowledge that even one small step in the right direction is never taken in vain. Doing the will of God, though it may sometimes be hard work, is always profitable when it is proceeded by prayer. Seldom can we see the way far ahead clearly, but that’s okay. It is enough to be able to see the next right step, and then to take it in faith. Make sure whatever you do is to please God rather than to please self or someone else. Do this, and you can be sure that your steps, no matter how big or small, will always be to the glory of God. Only those who lose their life for the Lord’s sake ever find it.

Question

How do we make the joy of the Lord our strength?

Answer

Know that God loves you, that He will never leave nor forsake you. That He is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Because God is, nothing else is needed. Therefore, we can be content and grateful regardless of the circumstances.