Devotional for April 25

In His Holy Name We Put Our Trust

18 Behold, the eye of the Lord is upon them that fear him, upon them that hope in his mercy;
19 To deliver their soul from death, and to keep them alive in famine.
20 Our soul waiteth for the Lord: he is our help and our shield.
21 For our heart shall rejoice in him, because we have trusted in his holy name.
22 Let thy mercy, O Lord, be upon us, according as we hope in thee. Psalm 33:18-22 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

Thoughts are the roots and feelings are the fruit. Neither are faith and physical fitness mutually exclusive throughout the days of our pilgrimage here on earth. If the body were like a train, physical fitness would provide the basic maintenance, and faith would be the wheels that keep the train on the right track. Faith is required from beginning to end, and time will only leave the body weak without physical fitness. Let all be strengthen by each. Be quick to cast down the evil thoughts of an unbelieving heart that concur with the accusations of the devil. Don’t entertain such thoughts or they will hinder the effective communication of your faith. This trap of the tempter is designed to side track you from the straight and narrow way. Any thoughts that cause you to doubt the truth of any of God’s promises are NOT inspired by the one who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light. Therefore, guard the heart against unbelief. The desire for holiness within as well as without isn’t a nicety, it’s an absolute necessity. The better the train of thought, the better the fruit.

Question

Why do we need to pray for patience?

Answer

Because every good thing takes time. To make a cake you have to collect the proper ingredients. Then mix them together just right. Then place them in a pan and preheat the oven for baking. There’s no rushing the baking, you just have to wait. Think about how many things God had to bring together to place you where you are right now having known each of us before the foundation of the world (Ephesians 1:4). Try to wrap you head around that one and stand in awe of the Almighty God. Having chosen you (John 15:16), He then had to wait for you to come to your senses and choose Him (Philemon 1:14; Romans 2:4). The promises of all spiritual blessings in Christ Jesus are sure (Ephesians 1:3; 2 Peter 1:3-15). Be patience therefore (James 5:7), it is God who works in you to will and do according to His goodness (Philippians 2:13; Philemon 1:6). Wait on the Lord, knowing that He will bring everything that concerns you to perfection at just the proper time (Psalm 138:8; 92:1-2).

The Prayer Appointed for This Week

O God, who by the glorious resurrection of your Son Jesus Christ destroyed death and brought life and immortality to light: Grant that I, who have been raised with him, may abide in his presence and rejoice in the hope of eternal glory; through Jesus Christ my Lord, to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit, be dominion and praise for ever and ever. Amen. from the Book of Common Prayer