Devotional for July 19

Strong in the Presence of the Lord

15 Blessed is the people that know the joyful sound: they shall walk, O Lord, in the light of thy countenance.
16 In thy name shall they rejoice all the day: and in thy righteousness shall they be exalted.
17 For thou art the glory of their strength: and in thy favour our horn shall be exalted. Psalm 89:15-17 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

Believe the gospel, repent and take the precious from the vile. The fear of the Lord is a precious gift. Without the fear of the Lord: in the place of reverence, there will be mockery; instead of thanksgiving, there will be pride; and instead of praise, there will be scorn. Without the fear of the Lord there will be much pain, suffering, weeping, and gnashing of teeth. The fear of the Lord functions as the guard rails of eternal life, which keeps us from falling off into the ditches on the left and right sides on the narrow way. Be quick to turn from all that is incompatible with the holiness of God. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of the blessings that come from wisdom. Know that we are called to rest in the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of our heavenly Father, and the comforting fellowship of the Holy Spirit. We enter into that rest by faith made stronger each day by the consistent exercise of trusting in God.

Question

Who are you?

Answer

A man of God (Scripture). Without knowing who we are, life will often beat us up and have us running around like a chicken with its head cut off bruised, bleeding, and stripped down to the bone (Scripture). When we forget who we are, it is easy to be tossed and buffeted by the winds of discouragement (Scripture). Happy is he who takes eyes off self and circumstances (Scripture). Look to Jesus and rest at all times in the comfort that comes from being a humble child trusting in the love of our heavenly Father (Scripture).

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

O Lord, receive the prayers of your servant who calls upon you, and grant that I may know and understand what things I ought to do, and that I also may have the grace and power to faithfully accomplish them; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.