Devotional for March 2

Walk in the Light

1 The Lord hear thee in the day of trouble; the name of the God of Jacob defend thee;
2 Send thee help from the sanctuary, and strengthen thee out of Zion;
3 Remember all thy offerings, and accept thy burnt sacrifice; Selah.
4 Grant thee according to thine own heart, and fulfil all thy counsel.
5 We will rejoice in thy salvation, and in the name of our God we will set up our banners: the Lord fulfil all thy petitions.
6 Now know I that the Lord saveth his anointed; he will hear him from his holy heaven with the saving strength of his right hand.
7 Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the Lord our God.
8 They are brought down and fallen: but we are risen, and stand upright.
9 Save, Lord: let the king hear us when we call. Psalm 20 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

John the Baptist did no miracles. Not even one. His face did not shine like Moses, he was not super strong like Samson, he didn’t call down fire from heaven like Elijah, he didn’t heal anyone like Paul, nor did he raise the dead like Peter. Still, Jesus readily acknowledged that John the Baptist was the greatest prophet the world has ever seen. Why? The only thing in the biblical record that made John unique was that he was filled with the Holy Spirit from his mother’s womb. We too are promised the indwelling Holy Spirit, but we must believe He is granted to us as soon as we ask. Don’t wait until you see or feel it before you believe it. It is a faithless generation that requires a sign and it is just as certain that none shall be given to them. Get the iron of your expectation red hot with prayers of thanksgiving and praise. Don’t depend on feelings before you will believe that you have the Spirit. Depend on the truth of the word of God and refuse to doubt it. Get busy extinguishing all the fiery darts of the wicked one with the shield of faith. Believe first, and stand firm in faith. God has promised to confirm, settle, and establish you. First believe, sometime after you will surely know it. (Luke 1:13-17; Luke 7:24-28; Acts 2:37-40; Hebrews 11:6; Matthew 16:4; 1 Corinthians 1:22-24; John 14:15-18; Revelation 22:20)

Today’s Bible Reading

Exodus 13; Luke 16

Job 31; 2 Corinthians 1

The Prayer Appointed for This Week

O God, who before the passion of your only-begotten Son revealed his glory upon the holy mountain: Grant that I, beholding by faith the light of his countenance, may be strengthened to bear my cross, and be changed into his likeness from glory to glory; through Jesus Christ my Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. The Book of Common Prayer