Devotional for November 10

The Wise Will Ponder These Things

33 He turneth rivers into a wilderness, and the watersprings into dry ground;
34 A fruitful land into barrenness, for the wickedness of them that dwell therein.
35 He turneth the wilderness into a standing water, and dry ground into watersprings.
36 And there he maketh the hungry to dwell, that they may prepare a city for habitation;
37 And sow the fields, and plant vineyards, which may yield fruits of increase.
38 He blesseth them also, so that they are multiplied greatly; and suffereth not their cattle to decrease.
39 Again, they are minished and brought low through oppression, affliction, and sorrow.
40 He poureth contempt upon princes, and causeth them to wander in the wilderness, where there is no way.
41 Yet setteth he the poor on high from affliction, and maketh him families like a flock.
42 The righteous shall see it, and rejoice: and all iniquity shall stop her mouth.
43 Whoso is wise, and will observe these things, even they shall understand the lovingkindness of the Lord. Psalm 107:33-43 (KJV)

Morning Exhortation

Strengthening doesn’t come from one set, one workout, or even one 90-day extreme challenge. No lofty thing can be achieved without patience, consistency, and perseverance. High level appearance and performance comes from thousands of sets adding up to years of workouts. You can only get those kind of reps by exercising patience, consistency, and perseverance. Start where you are, and then brace yourself for the fire. Doubts, discouragement, and setbacks are the impurities that must be burned away if the gold is to shine forth with all its brilliance. It is God who began this good work in you, and it is God who will bring you to full maturity. Trust in the Lord your God with all your heart. We are to grow IN grace, but we cannot grow INTO grace. Just as a man can grow IN his coat, but he cannot grow INTO his coat. He must first put it on. In the same manner, by faith we must put off the old man like the vile moth eaten coat it is, and put on the new man created in Christ Jesus. Having been born again in Christ Jesus, we grow by the practice of the means of grace. Studying the Word and prayer being chief of these. Thoroughly nourished on the pure spiritual milk of the Word and given to the constant exercise of decerning good and evil according to the mind of Christ within us, thereby do we grow. By taking captive every thought to be obedient to Christ, we are changed more and more into His glorious image. Not by our own wisdom or might, but by the Holy Spirit working within us.

Today’s Bible Reading

2 Kings 23; Hebrews 5

Joel 2; Psalm 142

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

Almighty and merciful God, it is only by your gift that your faithful people offer you true and laudable service: Grant that I may run without stumbling to obtain your heavenly promises; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.