Devotional for August 26

Fear of the Lord is the Beginning of Wisdom 

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.
11 Come, ye children, hearken unto me: I will teach you the fear of the Lord.
12 What man is he that desireth life, and loveth many days, that he may see good?
13 Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile.
14 Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it. Psalm 34:1-7, 11-14 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

The kingdom principle of sowing and reaping takes time. The harvest comes in its due season. So, climb when you can. Tie a knot and hold on when you can’t move up. Soar with the eagles when the opportunity presents itself, and practice falling with style whenever it doesn’t. Abide in the Lord. It is not what we think we can do, it’s what we trust the Lord to do that sets the limit of our faith. Our sufficiency is of God. Often it requires facing the fear, refusing to doubt, taking the pain, and forgiving the hurt. At times it will mean getting knocked down, skinned up, and then bouncing back again. The Scriptures tell us even though the righteous get knocked down seven times, he will get back up again. Trust in the promised mercy of the Lord, brush yourself off, and start again whenever you must. Consider not the slowness of the process, or the difficulty of the way. To do so is to walk by sight. Rather put your whole trust in God Almighty alone, this is walking by faith. It is so vital to learn the lesson of the vine and the branch. The spirit of “can-do-nothing-without-Christ Jesus” rests on infallible truth. He is our Rock on which we can always depend in season and out, now and late, forever and ever. So, deny self, submit to God, and resist the devil. Sowing and reaping has been ordained by God. The harvest will surely come.

Question

What’s wrong with talking behind someone’s back?

Answer

Bad mouthing, tale biting, complaining, grumbling, murmuring, gossiping, and the like are the sending forth of invisible little birds that carry only negative vibes (Scripture). Peace is sown by those who are at peace (Scripture). To bless our neighbors with both thoughts and deeds is to remain salty, and this is the will of God for each of His children (Scripture).

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

Almighty God, who has given your only Son to be unto us both a sacrifice for sin and an example by his godly life: For the sake of your Son,  I most thankfully receive your forgiveness of all my offenses; and grant me the grace to serve you in newness of life to the glory of your Name; through the same your Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.