Devotional for August 3

The Way of the Righteous

1 Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.
2 But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.
3 And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.
4 The ungodly are not so: but are like the chaff which the wind driveth away.
5 Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous.
6 For the Lord knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish. Psalm 1 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

Take a few moments right now to pause and consider just some of what you’ve been taking for granted. If you rolled out of bed this morning and were able to fill your belly with food, somewhere there are people who would think that a beautiful day. When you lose sight of those who are less fortunate than you and only see those who are more fortunate, you will be one ungrateful and unhappy mess. Leave all complaining against the providence of God to the unbelievers. Count some of your blessings you have been taking for granted.  Let your heart be fill with gratitude so your mind can be filled with peace and contentment. This too is a gift of God from whom all blessings flow.

Question

How do we increase our contentment?

Answer

Ruthlessly eliminate distraction (Scripture). Let the advertisements you can’t avoid roll off you like water off the back of a duck (Scripture). Vain pursuits, vain passions, vain thoughts, look to the left, look to the right, all that is of this world is continuously streamed from giant screens on the wall to small screens held in the hand (Scripture). The volume of the messages of the world must be purposely turned down if one is to hear wisdom (Scripture). There is no contentment without godliness (Scripture), because without godliness people are ruled by the flesh, which can never have enough (Scripture).

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

Let your continual mercy, O Lord, cleanse and defend your Church; and because it cannot continue in safety without your help, protect and govern it always by your goodness; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.