Devotional for November 7

Blessed Are these People

11 Rid me, and deliver me from the hand of strange children, whose mouth speaketh vanity, and their right hand is a right hand of falsehood:
12 That our sons may be as plants grown up in their youth; that our daughters may be as corner stones, polished after the similitude of a palace:
13 That our garners may be full, affording all manner of store: that our sheep may bring forth thousands and ten thousands in our streets:
14 That our oxen may be strong to labour; that there be no breaking in, nor going out; that there be no complaining in our streets.
15 Happy is that people, that is in such a case: yea, happy is that people, whose God is the Lord. Psalm 144:11-16 (KJV)

Morning Exhortation

Make wise use of all the available remedies God provides, but let your faith be in God alone. The good fight of faith is NOT won by tempting God. We tempt God whenever we insist that God perform a miracle on our behalf when by the standards of ordinary prudence a miracle is unnecessary. We tempt God when we refuse an ounce of prevention and then beg God to provide ten pounds of cure. We tempt God when we won’t take the aspirin in our hand and them demand that God get rid of our headache. We tempt God when we pray for a blessing that He has promised in His word and then entertain doubts as to whether He will do it. These are but a few examples of the way the enemy seeks to kill, steal, and destroy us with deceptive enticements to under believe and under trust our God. This is one of the oldest wiles of the devil. It is the go to tactic of the serpent at least as old as the Garden of Eden. The good fight of faith is NOT won by struggling with doubt. For that is like a man beating against the wind. Instead, the victory over doubt and circumstances is won by choosing to practice trusting in God—turning from doubt to beholding the Light from which all darkness must flee. Doubt must be rejected and faith chosen. Especially when all that is seen and felt seems to stand against faith, hope, and love. This is how our elders gained a good report and pleased God. Focus on thoughts that affirm your faith in God. Don’t allow your mind to entertain doubt or your own thoughts will drag you toward the cliff of unbelief. Shun forever the snake of deception that would have you make God a liar by not trusting His faithfulness to do what He has promised to do. God, who cannot lie, is forever faithful and we only need to trust Him to prove it. God can and is willing to care for all His children. Our part is simply to trust Him to do it.

Today’s Bible Reading

2 Kings 20; Hebrews 2

Hosea 13; Psalm 137-138

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

O God, whose blessed Son came into the world that he might destroy the works of the devil and make us children of God and heirs of eternal life: Grant that, having this hope, I may purify myself as he is pure; that, when he comes again with power and great glory, I may be made like him in his eternal and glorious kingdom; where he lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.