Devotional for June 2

The Lord Promises Peace for His People

8 I will hear what God the Lord will speak: for he will speak peace unto his people, and to his saints: but let them not turn again to folly.
9 Surely his salvation is nigh them that fear him; that glory may dwell in our land.
10 Mercy and truth are met together; righteousness and peace have kissed each other.
11 Truth shall spring out of the earth; and righteousness shall look down from heaven.
12 Yea, the Lord shall give that which is good; and our land shall yield her increase.
13 Righteousness shall go before him; and shall set us in the way of his steps. Psalm 85:8-13 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

The simplest truth is far better than the most appealing lie. You have to live a while to see the power of the lifestyle you have chosen. The consequences of a “burning the candle at both ends” type of lifestyle often takes years and at times happens so slowly that it is hardly noticed. We wake up one day and all at once realize how much we have changed, or how badly we’ve aged. The sooner you turn from sin and reach out for the Lord the better. Confess to the Lord, forsake every sin no matter how small, and turn to Him with your whole heart. There is power in the name of Jesus Christ to break every chain. Blessed is the one who can see the wisdom of seeking to enter in by the straight gate and following the narrow way that leads to eternal life.

Question

How do we enter into the rest of the Lord?

Answer

There was only one way for the Israelites in the Old Testament and it the very same way for believers in New Testament times (Hebrews 3:7-14). While the Israelites in the promised land had to face giants and conquer cities walled up to the sky, modern believers have different giants just as dangerous and strongholds just as impregnable that must be conquered (Numbers 13:27-14:11). The giants we face today aren’t the sons of Anak, but the sons of volatility, ambiguity, uncertainly and complexity. Check any news source with today’s headlines and you will see their foot prints everywhere (Matthew 24:1-12). The equivalent of the cities walled to the sky for us are strongholds of ever increasing iniquity without, and unchecked sin within (Isaiah 33:1, 10-17; Revelation 2:18-29). There is but one way to enter into the rest of the Lord and that is by belief in the gospel (Isaiah 50:10-11; Hebrews 3:14-4:2, 9-12; 1 Corinthians 16:13-14; Philippians 4:11-13). Not with a belief that waivers with an intermittent current that depends on circumstances and feelings, but rather with a faith that holds steadily to the knowledge of God (Romans 1:16-17). The rest of the Lord is a peace that surpasses understanding even amidst storms and enemies on every side (John 14:27; Isaiah 26:3; Philippians 4:7). Still, the rest of the Lord doesn’t make us passive or idle (2 Corinthians 10:4-6). On the contrary, the rest of the Lord inspires us to go to work with the full assurance of hope in the fact that through our Lord Jesus Christ we conquer all (Romans 8:28-39; 2 Corinthians 13:14).

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

Grant, O Lord, that the course of this world may be peaceably governed by your providence; and that your Church may joyfully serve you in confidence and serenity; through Jesus Christ our Lord who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.