Devotional for May 10

Sing the Glory of Our God

66 Make a joyful noise unto God, all ye lands:
2 Sing forth the honour of his name: make his praise glorious.
3 Say unto God, How terrible art thou in thy works! through the greatness of thy power shall thine enemies submit themselves unto thee.
4 All the earth shall worship thee, and shall sing unto thee; they shall sing to thy name. Selah.
5 Come and see the works of God: he is terrible in his doing toward the children of men.
6 He turned the sea into dry land: they went through the flood on foot: there did we rejoice in him.
7 He ruleth by his power for ever; his eyes behold the nations: let not the rebellious exalt themselves. Selah.
8 O bless our God, ye people, and make the voice of his praise to be heard:
9 Which holdeth our soul in life, and suffereth not our feet to be moved.
10 For thou, O God, hast proved us: thou hast tried us, as silver is tried. Psalm 66:1-10 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

True riches can only be held by right desires. He that is content in Christ Jesus right now, will also be content if he gain many things or lose them all. Addition and subtraction both count in the spiritual life as well as the material life. Little progress comes from going to the gym to get stronger when you are unwilling to let go of the bad habits outside of the gym that only feed weakness. Likewise, going to the Cross for forgiveness without accepting Jesus Christ as Lord and Master of the whole life hinders the progress of the soul. Jesus Christ is the precious Pearl of Great Price (Matthey 13:45-46). Let the one who can accept this testimony, go and throw away all those worthless things that would cling to the heart. Let our hearts be strengthen by the grace of God, and may we will magnify His name together forever.  

Question

What are true riches?

Answer

Love, peace, and joy are among the best of the riches of this life (Galatians 5:19-23). No amount of money, physical accomplishments, or material possessions will make up for the absence of love, peace, and joy (Psalm 39:6; 2 Timothy 3:1-7). Money, fame, and fortune can be made to hide the lack, but to believe they have power to keep the soul is to deceive oneself (Psalm 33:16-17; Proverbs 23:5; 1 Timothy 6:17-19). Having such things isn’t good or bad, it is why you want them and what you do with them that makes it so (Luke 16:10-13; James 4:1-4). Never forget the Westminster Shorter Catechism rightly states that the chief end of man is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever (Revelation 3:11-13, 4:1-11, 7:9-12). Here is where true riches for this life and eternity are to be found (Matthew 6:19-21; 1 Timothy 4:8; Revelation 21:7-8, 22:17-21).

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

Almighty Father who gave your only Son to die for our sins and to rise for our justification: Give me grace so to put away the leaven of malice and wickedness, that I may always serve you in pureness of living and truth; through Jesus Christ your Son my Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.