Devotional for August 13

Proclaim with Me the Greatness of the Lord

34 I will bless the Lord at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth.
2 My soul shall make her boast in the Lord: the humble shall hear thereof, and be glad.
3 O magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together.
4 I sought the Lord, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.
5 They looked unto him, and were lightened: and their faces were not ashamed.
6 This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles.
7 The angel of the Lord encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them.
8 O taste and see that the Lord is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him. Psalm 34:1-8 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

Fear, uncertainty, and doubt are the adult versions of the school playground bullies of the world. They won’t be satisfied with just your lunch money, little by little they will take more and more until you are left shaking with each change of the wind. There are many things in this life that seek to defeat us without having to go to battle. Screwtape doctrines using psychological trickery designed to create fear and worry are transmitted constantly throughout the digital spaces of our modern world. To be strong and courageous it is necessary to accept our weakness and depend totally on the strength of the Lord. Fight the good fight of faith by holding tight onto the truth as revealed in the word of God. Trust in the Lord. Our hope is in His salvation, and on His grace we can always depend. Victory and power is in the name of Jesus Christ, now and forever more!

Question

Is there more than just prosperity on earth and eternal life in heaven?

Answer

The Holy Bible promises much more than prosperity and eternal life (Scripture). That we come to know the fullness of Christ, this is the will of God for each of His children (Scripture). What can be shaken must be shaken if we are to truly learn what can never be moved (Scripture). All that is sin is destined to be burned in the fire (Scripture). Our heavenly Father draws us to Christ by faith (Scripture), and it is by the same faith that we receive more grace (Scripture). The measure that we hold back is the measure by which we are limited (Scripture). All of self for all of Jesus (Scripture), total of lesser things for the total of that which is greater (Scripture), everything old for everything new (Scripture).

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

O God, the protector of all who trust in you, without whom nothing is strong, nothing is holy: Increase and multiply upon all your faithful people your mercy; that, with you as our ruler and guide, we may so pass through things temporal, that we lose not the things eternal; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.