Devotional for August 5

God Gives Power and Strength to His People

19 Blessed be the Lord, who daily loadeth us with benefits, even the God of our salvation. Selah.
20 He that is our God is the God of salvation; and unto God the Lord belong the issues from death.
21 But God shall wound the head of his enemies, and the hairy scalp of such an one as goeth on still in his trespasses.
22 The Lord said, I will bring again from Bashan, I will bring my people again from the depths of the sea:
34 Ascribe ye strength unto God: his excellency is over Israel, and his strength is in the clouds.
35 O God, thou art terrible out of thy holy places: the God of Israel is he that giveth strength and power unto his people. Blessed be God. Psalm 68:19-22; 34-35 (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

Faith in God is required from beginning to end. God is more willing to give than we are to receive. God is willing to give more abundantly than we can ask or think. Our Lord Jesus Christ has provided us with the ability to meet the conditions, which is to take His yoke upon us so that we can learn from Him. We have to stand firm in faith long enough to get to a point where the narrow way that leads to eternal life becomes so enjoyable that it eliminates the desire for all that is contrary. The love of God compels us to do this from within, and not just from the external motive of outward conformity to a set of religious rules. All who hold fast to the gospel long enough will come to the place where there is an eagerness to turn away from lesser external things to obtain the much greater spiritual blessings. We gladly give up the old life trapped in sin for the much greater new life lived in the freedom purchased for us by the blood of Jesus Christ. We can be sure that if we are willing, He will fulfill His promise to lead us into all righteousness. Praise and glory be to God for His love and faithfulness, which endures forever. (Ephesians 1:3-21; Romans 8:32; 1 Corinthians 10:1-13; Psalm 94:19; Romans 1:16-17; 1 John 1:9; Mark 1:21-22, 2:13, 6:2; Luke 20:2-8; Matthew 7:21-23, 23:37, 11:28-30; John 14:18-23; Revelation 3:20; Mark 4:1-2; John 15:16; Matthew 13:18-23, 6:9-13)