Devotional for February 11

Whomever Is 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)

The Morning Exhortation

To fight is a determined act of the will to resist what stands in opposition. The good fight of faith is an inner battle requiring the will to hold firm to the decision to believe God. Since it is impossible to please God without faith and whatsoever is not of faith is sin, unbelief is public enemy number one that we must be willing to fight against. Happy is the one who trusts God to grant the victory. Battles are lost when our hearts condemn what our head and hands allow though. Who wants to be fit, yet lives in a lazy boy recliner binge watching streaming episodes of nonsense? Who wants to be lean, yet gulps down sugar by the boat load? Unhappy is the one whose desires and actions are thus divided. Purify your heart and make God your one desire. Some other things are necessary to be sure, but our happiness depends less and less on things the closer we get to God. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever (1 Chronicles 29:11-13). Be willing to fight the good fight and God will make you strong. Know the Scriptures, understand the power of God, and He will quicken your faith. 

Today’s Bible Reading

Genesis 44; Mark 14

Job 10; Romans 14

The Prayer Appointed for This Week

Set me free, O God, from the bondage of my sins, and give me the liberty of that abundant life which you have made known to me in your Son our Savior Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.  The Book of Common Prayer