Devotional for November 25

Give Thanks to the Lord

I will praise thee with my whole heart: before the gods will I sing praise unto thee.
2 I will worship toward thy holy temple, and praise thy name for thy lovingkindness and for thy truth: for thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name.
3 In the day when I cried thou answeredst me, and strengthenedst me with strength in my soul.
4 All the kings of the earth shall praise thee, O Lord, when they hear the words of thy mouth.
5 Yea, they shall sing in the ways of the Lord: for great is the glory of the Lord.
6 Though the Lord be high, yet hath he respect unto the lowly: but the proud he knoweth afar off.
7 Though I walk in the midst of trouble, thou wilt revive me: thou shalt stretch forth thine hand against the wrath of mine enemies, and thy right hand shall save me.
8 The Lord will perfect that which concerneth me: thy mercy, O Lord, endureth for ever: forsake not the works of thine own hands. Psalm 138 (KJV)

Morning Exhortation

All power belongs to God. Not most, not some, but ALL power belongs to God. God gives power to what and whom He will. He gives power to people, to remedies, to means, but the Bible tells us that God will not share His glory with anyone or anything. Here is a great secret: make prudent use of the remedies and means that God provides, and give abundant praise to the Lord for healing and increase. Remedies and means are but secondary causes, like the tools used to build a house. Therefore, praise the Carpenter and not the tools. God will give more grace to the one who does this. Fear not the ugly birds of prey that swoop down to try to snatch the Word out of your heart before it takes root downward and bears fruit upward. Cast down every thought that would steal the glory due His name. Such thoughts are ugly birds of prey. Exercise the grace of faith in God to chase them away.

Today’s Bible Reading

1 Chronicles 21; 1 Peter 2

Jonah 4; Luke 9

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

Almighty and everlasting God, whose will it is to restore all things in your well-beloved Son, the King of kings and Lord of lords: Mercifully grant that the peoples of the earth, divided and enslaved by sin, may be freed and brought together under his most gracious rule; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.