Devotional for May 17

Our Soul Waits for the Lord

13 The Lord looketh from heaven; he beholdeth all the sons of men.
14 From the place of his habitation he looketh upon all the inhabitants of the earth.
15 He fashioneth their hearts alike; he considereth all their works.
16 There is no king saved by the multitude of an host: a mighty man is not delivered by much strength.
17 An horse is a vain thing for safety: neither shall he deliver any by his great strength.
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 33:13-22 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

Beginning faith may be little, but it is enough to hold on to the light you have right now until God bestows the gift of faith that brings the full assurance that comes from knowing by personal experience what at first can only be believed. Wait on the Lord. Only the Holy Spirit knows when a soul is ready to be clothed with power from on high. Stop trying to do the work of the Holy Spirit. Stop trying to do things your way, and in your own natural strength. Our activity must be enabled by the God’s power. Every jagged stone of self-reliance must be removed and forsaken to make smooth the way of the Lord. Humble yourself, accept the power that comes from God, wait for the blessing with eager expectation, and this shall be done for you. Throw off every sinful thing that hinders, and ask God in faith for the grace you need. He is our faithful Father, and will provide all to those who submit themselves to His righteousness and His timing.

Question

Does waiting on the Lord mean that we have nothing more to do?

Answer

Waiting on the Lord is to be at peace, while doing nothing is to be asleep (Proverbs 26:14; 2 Peter 1:16-19; Ephesians 5:14; Matthew 5:6; Luke 11:11-13; Matthew 6:33). Waiting on the Lord means to live ready (Ephesians 6:10-18; 1 Corinthians 16:13-14; Psalm 68:28). Our weakness is the perfect receptor site for the power of Christ (Philippians 3:4-10; 2 Corinthians 12:9-10; Philippians 4:13). To believe means to refuse to look back, think back, or act back (Luke 17:32; Luke 8:13-14, 12:32; 2 Peter 1:3-11; Hebrews 10:38). The stronger the connecting bond between our weakness and the power of God becomes, the more love compels us to do  (Matthew 5:14; Philippians 2:13; 1 Peter 4:10-11).

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.