Devotional for January 29

Rejoice and Be Glad

19 Open to me the gates of righteousness: I will go into them, and I will praise the Lord:
20 This gate of the Lord, into which the righteous shall enter.
21 I will praise thee: for thou hast heard me, and art become my salvation.
22 The stone which the builders refused is become the head stone of the corner.
23 This is the Lord's doing; it is marvellous in our eyes.
24 This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it. Psalm 118:19-24 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

Doing what we already know to be right is more important than gaining more and more unused knowledge. First seek the kingdom of God and His righteousness. Everything else that is needful will be added after that. Walk by faith not by sight. Don’t give up though the pace seems slow, and never complain. Complaining doesn’t make what is bad any better, it only makes what little good there is in any situation seem even less so. It is far better to find one thing to be thankful for than it is to heap up great stinky piles of gripes and complaints. The Bible shows us the way to be content under any and all circumstances. We are to praise and thank the Lord for His loving kindness when things are going well. When things aren’t going well, we are to praise and thank the Lord for His faithfulness knowing that He will work all things together for good. Rest in the love of God, because He has promised never to leave nor forsake us. Trust, Pray, Expect, Praise, Receive, Rejoice and be Thankful. All this we know already. Now faith is consistently believing and practicing the gospel.

Today’s Bible Reading

Genesis 30; Mark 1

Esther 6; Romans 1

The Prayer Appointed for This Week

Almighty God, whose Son our Savior Jesus Christ is the light of the world: Grant that your people, illumined by your Word, may shine with the radiance of Christ’s glory, that he may be known, worshipped, and obeyed to the ends of the earth; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, now and for ever. Amen. The Book of Common Prayer