Devotional for May 20

Let the Name of the Lord Be Praised

113 Praise ye the Lord. Praise, O ye servants of the Lord, praise the name of the Lord.
2 Blessed be the name of the Lord from this time forth and for evermore.
3 From the rising of the sun unto the going down of the same the Lord's name is to be praised.
4 The Lord is high above all nations, and his glory above the heavens.
5 Who is like unto the Lord our God, who dwelleth on high,
6 Who humbleth himself to behold the things that are in heaven, and in the earth!
7 He raiseth up the poor out of the dust, and lifteth the needy out of the dunghill;
8 That he may set him with princes, even with the princes of his people.
9 He maketh the barren woman to keep house, and to be a joyful mother of children. Praise ye the Lord. Psalm 113 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

Patience is a virtue, and persistence is a must. Together these two are the wonder twins of achievement. No matter where you look, the ones who succeed are the ones who don’t stop until they do. Just as the spirit must return to the God who has given it, so too is it proper for the grace of God to be returned to God by our gratitude and praise. Never look back at your former sinful way of life with fondness, least your heart be drawn back to the mud from which Christ has made you clean. Neither look with envy on the ungodly who seem to prosper in their sins, least the tempter use the opportunity as a snare to rob you of your joy and contentment. Consider the sure ends of both the wicked and the righteous. Willingly take Christ’s yoke of love upon you. Be a good branch and rest in the true Vine. Submit all your ways to the will of God and He will lead you. Our only requirement is to do the best we can with what we have and trust the results to God. God has promised to work all things together for good even when all seems lost. So, take comfort in knowing that in the end, He will make everything right.

Question

How were the saints of old able to praise God in tough times and through all types of sorrows?

Answer

By cultivating the joy of the Lord within that doesn’t depend on outward circumstances, possessions, or events (Romans 14:17-19). Joy is a fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22), and is cultivated the same as the other fruits of the spirit by first of all appropriating the promises by faith  (Romans 15:13; 1 John 1:4). After appropriating the promise, meditate on the word holding it in your mind and heart until you have gotten all the sweetness and nourishment that is within it; thereby your faith will grow stronger (1 Peter 2:2-3; Psalm 119:103; Psalm 1:1-2; Proverbs 24:3-5). Lastly, cultivate joy by exercise. Joy is exercised by praising God for His goodness, kindness, faithfulness and love regardless of the circumstances (Psalm 92:1-2). Many quench their joy by focusing only on the things of this world (Colossians 3:2). This causes a temporary nearsightedness that loses sight of God (John 5:44; Matthew 6:21). Repent, lift up your heart to the Lord (Lamentations 3:41), sing (Ephesians 5:12-20; 1 Thessalonians 5:14-19), shout when the Spirit moves you (Ezekiel 36:26-27; Judges 13:25; Romans 8:14-16; Philippians 2:13-15), and God will see to it that you will always have a good reason to praise Him (1 Peter 3:15; Philippians 4:4-8; 1 Peter 4:11). 

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.