Devotional for February 16

Thy Throne, O God, Endures Forever

1 My heart is inditing a good matter: I speak of the things which I have made touching the king: my tongue is the pen of a ready writer.
2 Thou art fairer than the children of men: grace is poured into thy lips: therefore God hath blessed thee for ever.
3 Gird thy sword upon thy thigh, O most mighty, with thy glory and thy majesty.
4 And in thy majesty ride prosperously because of truth and meekness and righteousness; and thy right hand shall teach thee terrible things.
5 Thine arrows are sharp in the heart of the king's enemies; whereby the people fall under thee.
6 Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: the sceptre of thy kingdom is a right sceptre.
7 Thou lovest righteousness, and hatest wickedness: therefore God, thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows.
8 All thy garments smell of myrrh, and aloes, and cassia, out of the ivory palaces, whereby they have made thee glad. Psalm 45:1-8 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

Mysteries are to be expected when contemplating the infinite God. As magnificent as our abilities to think and reason are, even the brightest of us are still limited. For this reason, God has given us His word and only requires faith (Hebrews 11:1-6). It is impossible for us to fully understand all the mysteries of God, but faith is so easy that even a child can come to know the truth by it (Matthew 18:1-4). All the necessary knowledge about God has been provided for us in the Holy Bible. It is far more important to worship God as He is revealed in the Holy Bible than it is to know all the mysteries beyond our understanding. Knowing God as He has revealed Himself is a grace that is even more essential to the spirit than sleep is to the body. Sleep is an essential component for health and fitness that can’t be stored, caught up on, or ignored. You either accept the need for 7-8 hours of sleep out of every 24, or you will eventually have to pay and suffer for lack of it. Fear not. God has promised to give His beloved sleep (Psalm 127:2). Give thanks for it when it is sweet, and pray for it when it is not. The One who has chosen you to be in Christ Jesus has predestined you to bring forth His fruit. Submit yourself therefore to God, and willingly choose to do His will. When our will is to obey, God provides the way. 

Today’s Bible Reading

Genesis 49; Luke 2

Job 15; 1 Corinthians 3

The Prayer Appointed for This Week

O God, the strength of all who put their trust in you: Mercifully accept my prayers; and because in my weakness I can do nothing good without you, give me the help of your grace, that in keeping your commandments I may please you in both will and deed; through Jesus Christ my Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. The Book of Common Prayer