Devotional for March 4

Strength of the Faithful

16 Preserve me, O God: for in thee do I put my trust.
2 O my soul, thou hast said unto the Lord, Thou art my Lord: my goodness extendeth not to thee;
3 But to the saints that are in the earth, and to the excellent, in whom is all my delight.
4 Their sorrows shall be multiplied that hasten after another god: their drink offerings of blood will I not offer, nor take up their names into my lips.
5 The Lord is the portion of mine inheritance and of my cup: thou maintainest my lot.
6 The lines are fallen unto me in pleasant places; yea, I have a goodly heritage.
7 I will bless the Lord, who hath given me counsel: my reins also instruct me in the night seasons.
8 I have set the Lord always before me: because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved.
9 Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoiceth: my flesh also shall rest in hope. Psalm 16:1-9 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

True strength comes from within. The strong heart is established by grace and guarded by faith. Faith always counsels what is best and increases strength. A favorite tactic of the inner tempter is to get us to focus on what causes fear, worry, and doubt instead of the Word of Life that sustains faith in God. When faith is left unattended, it can be plucked off like feathers off a bird, and then blown about and tossed with the wind. If you choose faith, consider the decision settled forever. Never look back, and faith will never fail you. Focus on the Word and let fear starve to death. Let the love of the Word be a purifying fire in your heart. The lukewarm of heart, not really awake, not really dreaming, breeds only murmuring, suffering, and unhappiness. The way of the burning heart on the other hand, is like a champion rejoicing to run a difficult race. Not that we are sufficient in ourselves to be champions of anything. It is God who has made us, who heals us, sustains us, and leads us. To Him be the glory and power forever. (John 1:1-4, 14-17; John 15:4-9; Revelation 3:14-22)

Today’s Bible Reading

Exodus 15; Luke 18

Job 33; 2 Corinthians 3

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