Devotional for June 4

The Glory of the Lord Endures Forever

13 He appointed the moon for seasons: the sun knoweth his going down.
20 Thou makest darkness, and it is night: wherein all the beasts of the forest do creep forth.
21 The young lions roar after their prey, and seek their meat from God.
22 The sun ariseth, they gather themselves together, and lay them down in their dens.
23 Man goeth forth unto his work and to his labour until the evening.
24 O Lord, how manifold are thy works! in wisdom hast thou made them all: the earth is full of thy riches
31 The glory of the Lord shall endure for ever: the Lord shall rejoice in his works.
32 He looketh on the earth, and it trembleth: he toucheth the hills, and they smoke.
33 I will sing unto the Lord as long as I live: I will sing praise to my God while I have my being.
34 My meditation of him shall be sweet: I will be glad in the Lord. Psalm 104:1-2, 13-15, 19-24, 31-34 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

Faith isn’t a one-time done and over affair. You must choose to trust in God like you choose to breathe—moment by moment. Guard against going through life like the double minded man who confesses to believe, but when tested sinks into questioning whether God’s word is true. Rather be like the dearly loved son of our heavenly Father that you are called to be, who has taken faith in God as the rule for his life, and grow to spiritual maturity by fighting the good fight. Eagerly expect to learn how to enforce the victory our Lord Jesus Christ has won for us on the Cross. The word sown in a heart that is made receptive by faith will surely bring forth the fruits of the Spirit. The farmer does not need to understand all the mystery of what happens beneath the surface after the seed is sown. God knows. The farmer’s part is to prepare the soil by breaking up the rocks and removing the weeds. And after having sown the good seed, to wait for God to give the growth. Have faith in God, be a doer of His word, and the harvest will surely come in its due season.

Question

What is old age?

Answer

Old age can be the dawn of eternal youth or the sunset of eternal hopelessness (Matthew 25:14-30). The light of the gospel makes all the difference (John 1:1-17). The number of our days is determined by God (Psalm 90:12; Ephesians 6:1-3; Psalm 91:10-16), and maintaining strength equal to our days is our responsibility as good stewards of the body of Christ (1 Corinthians 6:19-20; Romans 12:1-2; 1 Corinthians 10:31). The Wabi-Sabi of our outward tent (2 Peter 1:10-19; 2 Corinthians 4:16-18), and the cultivation of the fullness of Christ within (Philippians 3:1-15), is a city set on a hill (Matthew 5:14-16). Old age is for abundantly bearing the fruit of the Spirit (Psalm 1:1-4; Galatians 5:22-23; Psalm 92:12-15) and the joyful harvesting of good works (Matthew 9:35-38; Ephesians 3:14-19; Matthew 28:18-20).

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

Holy Father, creator and sustaining wisdom of all that is, both in heaven and on earth, take from me those thoughts, actions and objects that are hurtful. Give me instead those things that are profitable for me and all who seek rightly to praise you. I ask this grace in the company of all believers and through the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, who is, with you and the Holy Spirit, one God forever and ever. Amen.