Devotional for September 14

True Safety Comes From Abiding in the Lord

1 He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.
2 I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust.
3 Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence.
4 He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler.
5 Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day;
6 Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday.
7 A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee.
8 Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked.
9 Because thou hast made the Lord, which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation;
10 There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling.
11 For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways. Psalm 91:1-11 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

Those who don’t like to squat seldom practice it, and those who lack patience have never developed it. The squat is a skill that must be practiced, and patience is a fruit that must be developed. Some get the opportunity to practice the squat, but all are given many opportunities to grow in patience. Why do you get angry at life’s little inconveniences and the people God sends your way to try your patience? Learn to deal with them, because you already know that working against resistance is necessary for muscles to grow stronger. It is equally true that suffering various trials and temptations provide the necessary resistance for strengthening faith and patience.

Question

Should we desire to be holy?

Answer

Holiness is to share in the divine nature (Scripture). A drop from the ocean has the same nature as the ocean (Scripture). It is just different in weight and magnitude (Scripture). So too must the branch take on the same essential nature as the vine (Scripture). Oh yes, desire to be holy (Scripture). The command to be holy is not grievous to anyone with eyes to see that it is far better to exchange all our filthy rags for godly riches (Scripture). 

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

Grant me, O Lord, to trust in you with all my heart; for, as you always resist the proud who confide in their own strength, so you never forsake those who make their boast of your mercy; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.