Devotional for January 10

My Heart Rejoices in His Salvation

13 How long wilt thou forget me, O Lord? for ever? how long wilt thou hide thy face from me?
2 How long shall I take counsel in my soul, having sorrow in my heart daily? how long shall mine enemy be exalted over me?
3 Consider and hear me, O Lord my God: lighten mine eyes, lest I sleep the sleep of death;
4 Lest mine enemy say, I have prevailed against him; and those that trouble me rejoice when I am moved.
5 But I have trusted in thy mercy; my heart shall rejoice in thy salvation.
6 I will sing unto the Lord, because he hath dealt bountifully with me. Psalm 13 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

Happiness doesn’t come from ease, and from luxury happiness will fly away. Enjoyment for its own sake becomes less and less pleasurable over time just like the tire on a car with slow leak. If we only eat what tastes good, and only do what feels easy, what more do we do than those who rot on the couch like a potato in front of the TV? This is why youth is wasted on the young, because with such vanities they waste so much of their time. God has not called us to be like rotting couch potatoes. He has called us to be conformed to the image our Lord and Master Jesus Christ. That is our God-given destiny. He has set us on His narrow path. His grace is sufficient to make our faith firm. Refuse all that would pull you off into the ditches on the left and right sides of the way of righteousness. Fix your eyes on Jesus and walk with your right hand in His. The seeds of joy may be sowed with tears, yet the bountiful harvest is sure to come with rejoicing in the Lord.

Today’s Bible Reading

Genesis 11; Matthew 10

Ezra 10; Acts 10

The Prayer Appointed for This Week

Father in heaven, who at the baptism of Jesus in the River Jordan proclaimed him your beloved Son and anointed him with the Holy Spirit: Grant that all who are baptized into His Name may keep the covenant they have made, and boldly confess him as Lord and Savior; who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, in glory everlasting. Amen. The Book of Common Prayer