Devotional for August 8

Let the Earth Rejoice

97 The Lord reigneth; let the earth rejoice; let the multitude of isles be glad thereof.
2 Clouds and darkness are round about him: righteousness and judgment are the habitation of his throne.
3 A fire goeth before him, and burneth up his enemies round about.
4 His lightnings enlightened the world: the earth saw, and trembled.
5 The hills melted like wax at the presence of the Lord, at the presence of the Lord of the whole earth.
6 The heavens declare his righteousness, and all the people see his glory.
11 Light is sown for the righteous, and gladness for the upright in heart. Psalm 97:1-6, 11 
  (KJV)

The Morning Exhortation

We do well to distinguish the eternal from the temporary. The fruit of the Spirit, which grows from the word of life sown in our heart, is meant to last. Trials of many kinds are sure to come. Remember the faithfulness of God and they will only strengthen the fruit. Also be on guard against the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches, because they will surely stunt our spiritual growth if we allow them to dominate the soul. All that our heavenly Father didn’t plant, let it be pulled up and cast away. This world is only a temporary thing. See through the reality of present circumstances to the eternal reality of our Lord Jesus Christ. He is our spiritual rock of truth that never changes. As Christ forms His perfect image in our soul, we abundantly bear the fruit of the Spirit. Happy is the day when we believe and abide in Him. (2 Peter 1:1-15; Hebrews 3:7-13; 1 John 2:15-17; Matthew 15:10-19; Luke 17:20-21; Matthew 13:3-23; John 15:1-16; Galatians 5:19-23; James 1:22-25; 1 Corinthians 10:13; James 1:2-8; 2 Corinthians 3:18; Psalm 9:10; Isaiah 26:3; Psalm 72:18-19)