Devotional for July 3

Rest From the Days of Adversity

3 Lord, how long shall the wicked, how long shall the wicked triumph?
4 How long shall they utter and speak hard things? and all the workers of iniquity boast themselves?
5 They break in pieces thy people, O Lord, and afflict thine heritage.
6 They slay the widow and the stranger, and murder the fatherless.
7 Yet they say, The Lord shall not see, neither shall the God of Jacob regard it.
8 Understand, ye brutish among the people: and ye fools, when will ye be wise?
9 He that planted the ear, shall he not hear? he that formed the eye, shall he not see?
10 He that chastiseth the heathen, shall not he correct? he that teacheth man knowledge, shall not he know?
11 The Lord knoweth the thoughts of man, that they are vanity.
12 Blessed is the man whom thou chastenest, O Lord, and teachest him out of thy law;
13 That thou mayest give him rest from the days of adversity, until the pit be digged for the wicked. Psalm 94:3-13 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

To play with things void of the knowledge of God, is like a child playing with fire. It is far better to prevent the injury than it is to go find treatment after having been burned. We have the freedom to watch anything we like, but not everything we can feed the mind with is nutritious. The slothful child refuses to redeem the time, resting without being tired, and vainly going from one entertainment fix to the next. Enough of such childish things! We all have the need for our hearts to be filled with the love of God, our minds to be fixed with faith in God, and our hands to be diligent as we work toward the hope of our eternal reward in Christ Jesus. The fear of the Lord is a precious gift. To understand it, pray for a revelation of the holiness of God. Pray unceasingly, believe whole-heartedly, and He will keep you enduring joyfully through all the uncertainties of this perishing world. 

Question

How do we put away childish things?

Answer

Consider the end of every choice as to whether it draws you closer to God or pushes you further away (Proverbs 9:10; Ephesians 4:17-18). There are many activities of this world that are believed to be harmless, but they are actually sugar-coated poison pills of folly (Proverbs 7:4-27; Isaiah 65:11-12; Psalm 10:4; Matthew 3:1-12). You will know them by their fruit (Matthew 7:16-20). Learn from the Lord and take no backward step (Joshua 1:8-9; Isaiah 54:13; John 6:45; Matthew 11:27-30). Remember Lot’s wife (Psalm 85:8; 1 Corinthians 13:11-13; 1 Corinthians 16:13-14; Joshua3:9-10; Jude 1:24-25). 

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

Almighty God, you have built your Church upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief cornerstone: Grant that all of us may be joined together in unity of spirit by their teaching, that we may be made a holy temple acceptable to you; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.