Devotional for March 29

O God of Our Salvation

1 Praise waiteth for thee, O God, in Sion: and unto thee shall the vow be performed.
2 O thou that hearest prayer, unto thee shall all flesh come.
3 Iniquities prevail against me: as for our transgressions, thou shalt purge them away.
4 Blessed is the man whom thou choosest, and causest to approach unto thee, that he may dwell in thy courts: we shall be satisfied with the goodness of thy house, even of thy holy temple.
5 By terrible things in righteousness wilt thou answer us, O God of our salvation; who art the confidence of all the ends of the earth, and of them that are afar off upon the sea:
6 Which by his strength setteth fast the mountains; being girded with power:
7 Which stilleth the noise of the seas, the noise of their waves, and the tumult of the people.
8 They also that dwell in the uttermost parts are afraid at thy tokens: thou makest the outgoings of the morning and evening to rejoice.
9 Thou visitest the earth, and waterest it: thou greatly enrichest it with the river of God, which is full of water: thou preparest them corn, when thou hast so provided for it. Psalm 65:1-9 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

Distance to the destination doesn’t really matter when you can enjoy every step of the way. God is always in-charge. It’s easy to sit down and throw a pity party when things aren’t going your way. Life being full of ups and downs is such a common experience that it hardly needs to be stated. There will be days when you move forward with smashing through to a new personal best, just as there will be other days that set you a few steps back. Such is the pulse of life. Happiness comes from trusting the Lord through it all. Don’t anchor your consistency to feelings which change like the wind. The time will surely come when the wind is contrary. Be ready to put out the oars when necessary and go to work, holding onto the hope set forth in the Gospel. Be willing to love. Choose faith. Live in the light. Walk in the Spirit. This is the will of God for all who are called to be in Christ Jesus. (Isaiah 52:7; Psalm 30:4-5; 1 Corinthians 10:13; Luke 9:62; John 16:33; Matthew 5:13-16; Philippians 2:14-16; Romans 8:28; 1 John 5:4-5; 1 Corinthians 16:13-14; Romans 8:35-39, 16:25-27)

Today’s Bible Reading

Exodus 40; John 19

Proverbs 16; Philippians 3

The Prayer Appointed for This Week

O God, whose glory it is always to have mercy: Be gracious to all who have gone astray from your ways, and bring us again with penitent hearts and steadfast faith to embrace and hold fast the unchangeable truth of your Word, Jesus Christ your Son; who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. The Book of Common Prayer