Devotional for June 17

Trust in the Name of the Lord Our God

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 33:16-31 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

Every pessimistic person I’ve ever met has called themselves a realist. There are two sides to every coin. If all you see is a problem, flip it over. Elevate your gaze. Trust the everlasting Rock, or the house will forever be just one shift of the sands beneath away from a great fall. Anyone who believes that Jesus Christ is the Son of God has at least the necessary size faith of a mustard seed. Whatever the question, trust in God is the ultimate answer. Blessed are all those who are willing to patiently trust the Lord. This becomes much easier to do as we learn the peace and rest that comes from the double abiding: Christ in you and you in Christ. Commit to trusting God with your whole heart and your faith in God will grow. 

Question

What is the substance of faith?

Answer

Faith is the substance of hope (Hebrews 11:1). While speaking and singing praise to the Lord is the substance of faith (Psalm 92:1-2; Hebrews 11:6; Ephesians 5:17-20; Proverbs 24:5; Psalm 50:23, 100:4). It was in the perfecting of his praise that the faith of the sweet psalmist of Israel grew strong enough to slay the biggest baddest giant in the land (1 Samuel 17:33-36). How long David had been practicing on his harp singing and praising God while tending the sheep the Bible doesn’t say (1 Samuel 16:14-23), but the result was such a confident faith in God that ran to cut the head off the giant without even having a sword in his hand (1 Samuel 17:40-51). Praise stirs up or activates the miracle working power of even a mustard seed size faith (Matthew 17:19-20; 2 Timothy 1: 6-7), so that it breaks forth into full flame and grows to be a mighty tree of righteousness (Psalm 29:1-9, 104:4; Isaiah 61:3; 1 Peter 5:6-11).  

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

O God, from whom all good proceeds: Grant that by your inspiration I may think those things that are right, and by your merciful guiding may do them; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God for ever and ever. Amen.