Devotional for June 9

Our Help and Shield

12 Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord; and the people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance.
13 The Lord looketh from heaven; he beholdeth all the sons of men.
14 From the place of his habitation he looketh upon all the inhabitants of the earth.
15 He fashioneth their hearts alike; he considereth all their works.
16 There is no king saved by the multitude of an host: a mighty man is not delivered by much strength.
17 An horse is a vain thing for safety: neither shall he deliver any by his great strength.
18 Behold, the eye of the Lord is upon them that fear him, upon them that hope in his mercy;
19 To deliver their soul from death, and to keep them alive in famine.
20 Our soul waiteth for the Lord: he is our help and our shield.
21 For our heart shall rejoice in him, because we have trusted in his holy name.
22 Let thy mercy, O Lord, be upon us, according as we hope in thee. Psalm 33:12-22 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

Fitness, talent, and beauty make life easier, but we only fool ourselves when we think “easier” by itself makes life happier. Money is the answer for everything, but money alone will never be enough. Keep money, and anything else that would raise itself up as an idol, out of the heart. There is nothing wrong with the prayer to change the stones into bread in itself. The wrong or the right depends on whether the motive behind it is to obey God or merely to satisfy the belly. So, set your affections on the things that are above. Be watchful over your thoughts and deeds in order to keep your conscience tender and clear. Be quick to cast down, put off, and turn away from everything that doesn’t conform to the Word of God. Jesus Christ is the Word. Meditate on the Word of God all day long and rely on the power of God always. This will keep us on the narrow path with inner peace and great joy. (1 King 13:11-24; Ecclesiastes 7:2, 10:19, 5:10; Proverbs 23:5; Colossians 3:2; Hebrews 12:2; James 4:1-3; 1 John 2:15-16; Mathew 6:24; 1 Corinthians 6:19-20; Hebrews 11:32-12:1; Matthew 7:7-11; Romans 8:32-39; 1 John 5:13-15; Matthew 6:31-33; 2 Corinthians 10:4-6; John 1: 1-3; Hebrews 11:1-6; Matthew 4:1-11; Ephesians 3:14-21)