Devotional for July 22

My Soul is Content

63 O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is;
2 To see thy power and thy glory, so as I have seen thee in the sanctuary.
3 Because thy lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise thee.
4 Thus will I bless thee while I live: I will lift up my hands in thy name.
5 My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness; and my mouth shall praise thee with joyful lips:
6 When I remember thee upon my bed, and meditate on thee in the night watches.
7 Because thou hast been my help, therefore in the shadow of thy wings will I rejoice.
8 My soul followeth hard after thee: thy right hand upholdeth me. Psalm 63:1-8 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

Pride is a deadly poison that must be refused. Pride is at the root of the covetousness that causes wars among us. If self is set up as an idol, there will be no end to those who line up to offer an offense and wound one’s pride. Pride seeks to strike back for every offence and will make turning the other cheek impossible. The humble soul has no need to defend self and is quick to let go of anger. How then to be humble? Turn to the Lord and admit the lack of strength to humble self. This is God’s work. Our work is to depend on the Lord to do the work in us. Ask and receive the blessing now by faith. Eagerly expect the seed to be manifested according to our faith: first the blade, then the ear, and then the full corn in the ear. And rest assured that all that is God’s will shall be done in God’s perfect timing. Set your will to cooperate.

Question

How can we live the beatitudes?

Answer

First must come the clear vision of the qualities of those belonging to the Kingdom of Heaven (Scripture). Second, we must realize how far below the standard of God we miss the mark (Scripture). Third, our intentions must be set to obtain the vision (Scripture), and our attention must be given to the God appointed means of grace (Scripture). Thank God for His word that teaches us to deny self and its appetites so that we may participate in His divine nature (Scripture). 

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

Almighty God, the fountain of all wisdom, you know my necessities before I ask and my ignorance in asking: Have compassion on my weakness, and mercifully give me those things which for my unworthiness I dare not, and for my blindness I cannot ask; through Jesus Christ my Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.