Devotional for March 21

Only You, Lord, Make Me Dwell in Safety

4 Hear me when I call, O God of my righteousness: thou hast enlarged me when I was in distress; have mercy upon me, and hear my prayer.
2 O ye sons of men, how long will ye turn my glory into shame? how long will ye love vanity, and seek after leasing? Selah.
3 But know that the Lord hath set apart him that is godly for himself: the Lord will hear when I call unto him.
4 Stand in awe, and sin not: commune with your own heart upon your bed, and be still. Selah.
5 Offer the sacrifices of righteousness, and put your trust in the Lord.
6 There be many that say, Who will shew us any good? Lord, lift thou up the light of thy countenance upon us.
7 Thou hast put gladness in my heart, more than in the time that their corn and their wine increased.
8 I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou, Lord, only makest me dwell in safety. Psalm 4 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

Tossing a coin into a wishing well pays for nothing. The difference between a goal and a wish is the willingness to pay the price to achieve it. Are you willing to eat better, work harder, and give up all that hinders? To pray for change and not put in the required work dishonors God. Repent and align your heart, head, and hands. The higher the goal, the higher the price. Count the cost before you begin, and be willing to consistently pay the price from start to end. Do this and you will be prepared to do every good work God has placed in your heart. (Proverbs 20:4, 26:15; Ecclesiastes 7:8; Luke 9:23, 14:27-35; 2 Timothy 2:3-22; Philippians 2:13-16; James 1:22-25; 1 Peter 5:6-11)

Today’s Bible Reading

Exodus 32; John 11

Proverbs 8; Ephesians 1

The Prayer Appointed for This Week

O God, you declare your almighty power chiefly in showing mercy and pity: Grant me the fullness of your grace, that I, running to obtain your promises, may become a partaker of your heavenly treasure; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. The Book of Common Prayer