Devotional for July 20

Maker of Heaven and Earth is Our Help

1 If it had not been the Lord who was on our side, now may Israel say;
2 If it had not been the Lord who was on our side, when men rose up against us:
3 Then they had swallowed us up quick, when their wrath was kindled against us:
4 Then the waters had overwhelmed us, the stream had gone over our soul:
5 Then the proud waters had gone over our soul.
6 Blessed be the Lord, who hath not given us as a prey to their teeth.
7 Our soul is escaped as a bird out of the snare of the fowlers: the snare is broken, and we are escaped.
8 Our help is in the name of the Lord, who made heaven and earth. Psalm 124:1-8 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

When those who love you, cut you deeply with careless remarks. When those who hate you, viciously wound you with kisses. Forgive them both. Not for their sake, but forgive them for your own sake. The unforgiving heart, regardless of how valid the reason, poisons the soul that refuses to let go of the hurt. It’s like drinking poison and hoping the other person will die. Better to be poor in spirt with forgiveness in the heart, then is a mighty man who can slay 600 men with only a sharp stick. The only way to do as the Lord commands and forgive others, is to realize our inability to do so without first receiving His mercy. Take it to the Cross and it there. Those who falsely believe that they have been hurt so badly that forgiving the hurt is impossible, have not yet been brought to a full understanding of our need for the Lord Jesus Christ to be our all in all. Christ is Jehovah Rapha our divine Physician and Healer of broken hearts. Let His peace rule in your heart and you will find rest for your soul. 

Question

What is the fear of man?

Answer

Peer-pressure, people-pleasing, and people-avoiding (commonly called shyness) all result from the fear of man, which is essentially a fear of judgment and rejection by others (Scripture). It is a dangerous world, and being kicked out of the tribe decreases our chances of survival out there all alone (Scripture). The Christian is never alone though (Scripture). The snare that comes from the fear of man is desiring to please others more than pleasing God (Scripture). Faith wins over each temptation to fear man by fighting with the fear of the Lord (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.