Devotional for May 6

God Is Our Guide Forever

1 Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised in the city of our God, in the mountain of his holiness.
9 We have thought of thy lovingkindness, O God, in the midst of thy temple.
10 According to thy name, O God, so is thy praise unto the ends of the earth: thy right hand is full of righteousness.
11 Let mount Zion rejoice, let the daughters of Judah be glad, because of thy judgments.
12 Walk about Zion, and go round about her: tell the towers thereof.
13 Mark ye well her bulwarks, consider her palaces; that ye may tell it to the generation following.
14 For this God is our God for ever and ever: he will be our guide even unto death. Psalm 48:1, 9-14 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

Miracles, signs, and wonders are not enough to make a believer. The Israelites who perished in the wilderness are proof of this truth for all who are humble enough to acknowledge that we who live today are no better than them. It is by faith that we obtain a good report just as all the saints that came before us did. The secret of a good report is in maintaining the belief that He who has promised is faithful despite what the eyes may see or heart may feel is true based off our own understanding. God has shown us His love and faithfulness in many ways too numerous to count. The greatest proof of God’s love was sending His only begotten Son to die for us on the Cross. By faith our Lord Jesus Christ now dwells in our hearts. By faith we are taken up into the love of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost. Wait on the Lord with the faith you have now, and more shall be given to you. Wait on the Lord with the eager expectation that He will reveal the fullness of Christ in you. By faith seek until you find, knock until it is opened, and ask until you receive. He who promised is the only one who is forever faithful. Wait on the Lord until the assurance of faith comes from God as a witness within your soul. It will surely come when God determines it is the proper time. Then you shall know as surely as you know the back of your hand that Jesus Christ is Savior and Lord. It is good to praise the Lord for His lovingkindness in the morning and His faithfulness every night! Rejoice now and look forward to testifying of the complete salvation that is found only in Christ Jesus.

Question

There are many persuasive voices in this world pointing out this way and that. How can we know the true way?

Answer

God has made the way simple and plain (1 John 1:9-10; John 3:19-21; John 14:1-9), narrow and straight (Hebrews 11:24-27; Romans 1:20-23; Acts 17:16-33; 1 Corinthians 14:10-12). Those who listen to the queen of idolatries will be lost (Revelation 2:18-29; Galatians 6:7; Isaiah 3:9-11; Psalm 32:9), and those who listen to the witness of the good reports that point out the true way, will find it (Hebrews 11:4, 11; Romans 15:4; Psalm 119:9; Hebrews 4:12; 1 Peter 5:6-11).

The Prayer Appointed for This Week from the Book of Common Prayer

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.