Devotional for May 14

Let the Nations Be Glad and Sing for Joy

67 God be merciful unto us, and bless us; and cause his face to shine upon us; Selah.
2 That thy way may be known upon earth, thy saving health among all nations.
3 Let the people praise thee, O God; let all the people praise thee.
4 O let the nations be glad and sing for joy: for thou shalt judge the people righteously, and govern the nations upon earth. Selah.
5 Let the people praise thee, O God; let all the people praise thee.
6 Then shall the earth yield her increase; and God, even our own God, shall bless us.
7 God shall bless us; and all the ends of the earth shall fear him. Psalm 67 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

The relief of a simple headache and the resurrection of the dead are both done with equal ease by God. No miracle should ever be thought of as too great for God, and no sin should ever be thought of as permissible for us because it is so small. A miracle is a miracle and a sin is a sin. It is God’s will that we have power from on high, but we must believe God. Truly, there is but one thing needful. Let all be done for the love of God. Fast just for the health benefits, and that is all you will receive. Instead, let the purpose of your fasting be to draw you closer to the true Vine, and our heavenly Vinedresser will prune the spirit, soul, and body just as the fire burned away the rot, fungi, and bugs from the bush before Moses. To abide in the Vine, put away what is foolish and practice all the good you know. It is not head knowledge that saves. It is the heart knowledge that comes from having the gospel of Jesus Christ living within that saves the soul. Be determined to be a doer of the word purely for the love for God.

Question

How do we come to know the Lord Jesus Christ?

Answer

The same way we come to know any person (John 14:8-9; 2 Corinthians 3:17-18; James 1:22-25). We learn their likes and dislikes (Proverbs 6:16-23; Galatians 5:19-25). We learn what is important and unimportant to them (John 12:27-32; Mark 8:31-36; John 6:63). We see the content of their character and the quality of their intentions by their conduct (Luke 7:19-23). We come to recognize their voice by its tone and timbre (Matthew 13:16-17; John 10:24-32). In time, we are able to know how they think (John 17:14-21; Jeremiah 29:11-13; 1 Corinthians 2:12-16), and how they are likely to respond in any given situation (John 8:25-29; Matthew 10:24-26; 1 Peter 3:17-18; Matthew 28:18-20).

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

Remember, O Lord, what you have wrought in us and not what we deserve; and, as you have called me to your service, make me worthy of your calling; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.