Devotional for June 6

Remember the Wonderful Works of the Lord

105 O give thanks unto the Lord; call upon his name: make known his deeds among the people.
2 Sing unto him, sing psalms unto him: talk ye of all his wondrous works.
3 Glory ye in his holy name: let the heart of them rejoice that seek the Lord.
4 Seek the Lord, and his strength: seek his face evermore.
5 Remember his marvellous works that he hath done; his wonders, and the judgments of his mouth;
6 O ye seed of Abraham his servant, ye children of Jacob his chosen.
7 He is the Lord our God: his judgments are in all the earth. Psalm 105:1-7 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

The practice of continually thinking God’s thoughts after Him is life transforming. The Holy Bible is full of the very thoughts of God, yet most of the world is set against the wisdom of God. If we are not watchful, conforming to this world will happen to us little by little just as any uncultivated field is eventually overgrown with weeds. We hardly notice our acceptance of the values of this world and the fleshly thoughts/affections/deeds they inspire. We must learn to actively reject the corrupt influence in our minds from the worldly view with its perverse affections displayed larger than life on giant movie screens, in magazines, on television, and within popular music. These modern day messages of Sodom and Gomorrah are also continually steamed through our personal digital media devices. Dead flies in the perfume bottle will it case it to stink. Let no habits reeking like dead flies remain in you. You are the temple of the living God. Let your heart be a shrine filled with His love, and your mind the watchman. Let us be well practiced in sounding the alarm and taking captive every thought to the obedience of Christ Jesus. To have a willing heart that chooses to obey is our part. God’s part is to provide the love, the grace, and the power to enable our full obedience. God is faithful. Our total dependence on Him is both a privilege and a necessity. His every precept comes with His promise of enabling power so that we may obey. This understanding grasped by faith brings assurance and joy.

Question

What is waiting on the Lord?

Answer

Waiting on the Lord is not a passive or inactive state of idleness (Proverbs 24:30-34). On the contrary, waiting on the Lord is the ready state that comes from the preparation of the gospel of peace (Ephesians 6:15). He who sits in the shade with his shoes off will not win any race (Proverbs 26:13-14). However, the believer who puts on his shoes, gets on the starting line, and awaits the command to go is guaranteed to win the crown (1 Corinthians 9:24-27; 2 Timothy 4:7-8; 1 John 3:3). Waiting on the Lord is preparing oneself to be ready to run as soon as God makes it known to them that He has commanded them to go (Proverbs 16:3). Wait on the Lord and the command to go will surely come (Romans 10:14-15; Luke 24:49; John 20:22; Psalm 27:14; Malachi 3:1; Revelation 7:9-12).

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.