Devotional for July 24

Bearing Fruit In Old Age

12 The righteous shall flourish like the palm tree: he shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon.
13 Those that be planted in the house of the Lord shall flourish in the courts of our God.
14 They shall still bring forth fruit in old age; they shall be fat and flourishing;
15 To shew that the Lord is upright: he is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in him. Psalm 92:12-15 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

Stuck in a rut or living the dream? One thing is certain. Regardless of your current situation, it is likely that someone somewhere in this world is suffering with more difficulties and in greater pain than you. Somewhere someone would love to be in your shoes. Complaining, grumbling, and fault-finding only serve to blind us. When the mind is occupied with these things, it becomes difficult to see any of the good around us and effectively blocks the way into the rest of God. It is in thanksgiving rather than complaining, praise rather than grumbling, and prayer rather than fault-finding which leads to the promised rest in the Lord. All circumstances are temporary and God is in control of all. When you know that God is faithful, all difficulties can joyfully be accepted as an opportunity to exercise faith in God. You will see the glory of God if you are willing to believe. God has promised it.

Question

Does physical appearance matter?

Answer

Not for its own sake (Scripture), but all healthy things are beautiful (Scripture). Being obsessed with the appearance of self is a vain idolatry that only makes one more unhappy with it every passing year and new wrinkle (Scripture). Appearance is an important minor that is easy to care for once we focus on the major, which is the development of the beatific vision of a Christ-like character of the soul (Scripture). Rightly ordered, all things are done for the glory of God (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.