Devotional for May 5

The Heritage of the Righteous

23 The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord: and he delighteth in his way.
24 Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the Lord upholdeth him with his hand.
25 I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread.
26 He is ever merciful, and lendeth; and his seed is blessed.
27 Depart from evil, and do good; and dwell for evermore.
28 For the Lord loveth judgment, and forsaketh not his saints; they are preserved for ever: but the seed of the wicked shall be cut off.
29 The righteous shall inherit the land, and dwell therein for ever.
34 Wait on the Lord, and keep his way, and he shall exalt thee to inherit the land: when the wicked are cut off, thou shalt see it.
35 I have seen the wicked in great power, and spreading himself like a green bay tree.
36 Yet he passed away, and, lo, he was not: yea, I sought him, but he could not be found.
37 Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright: for the end of that man is peace.
38 But the transgressors shall be destroyed together: the end of the wicked shall be cut off.
39 But the salvation of the righteous is of the Lord: he is their strength in the time of trouble. Psalm 37:23-29, 34-39 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

God has worms for every bird, but there comes the time when each little eaglet must grow up and leave the nest. The baby in the natural world that fails to grow would be considered strange and abnormal. So too should the Christiaan, which fails to grow up and thrive in his salvation, is to be considered strange and abnormal. The baby bird only has to open its mouth, but we are not to stay spiritual babies forever. The rule in the kingdom of God is this: if a man will not work, neither shall he eat. And if a man does not eat, he will not grow. Drink deeply from the pure spiritual milk of the word of God, store its truth in your heart, and grow. For this is God’s will for all of us whom He has called to eternal life in Christ Jesus.

Question

If all is by faith, what place has works?

Answer

It is only by faith in Jesus Christ that we are made righteous (1Corinthians 1:30-31). From first to last, all is of the grace of God (Deuteronomy 32:11; Psalm 81:10; Ezekiel 36:26-27; John 17:3; Acts 4:12). It is equally true that the righteous in Christ Jesus do good works because they are righteous (2 Corinthians 5:14-21). Not to earn righteousness (2 Corinthians 3: 5-6; Ephesians 2:8-9), but to show forth the fruits of righteousness (Matthew 3:8-10; Galatians 5:19-23; Mark 4:20). The full assurance of faith produces good works done with fear and trembling (Hebrews 19:24; James 2:14-18; Philippians 2:12-16). When we are fully sanctified by the Spirit and truth (2 Thessalonians 2:13), then will the words of our mouth and the mediations of our heart be pleasing to God (Isaiah 40:31; 1 Peter 2:2; Joshua 1:8; Psalm 19:14). Thus, having been made fully mature in Christ Jesus (James 1:3-4), all we are and do will glorify God (Matthew 5:14-16; Ephesians 3:20-21). 

The Prayer Appointed for This Week

I thank you, heavenly Father, that you have delivered me from the dominion of sin and death and brought me into the kingdom of your Son; and I pray that, as by his death he has recalled me to life, so by his love he may raise me to eternal joys; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. from the Book of Common Prayer