1st. March. 2021. Daily Devotion.
Psalm 37:1-8
Do not fret because of those who are evil
or be envious of those who do wrong;
2 for like the grass they will soon wither,
like green plants they will soon die away.
3 Trust in the Lord and do good;
dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.
4 Take delight in the Lord,
and he will give you the desires of your heart.
5 Commit your way to the Lord;
trust in him and he will do this:
6 He will make your righteous reward shine like the dawn,
your vindication like the noonday sun.
7 Be still before the Lord
and wait patiently for him;
do not fret when people succeed in their ways,
when they carry out their wicked schemes.
8 Refrain from anger and turn from wrath;
do not fret—it leads only to evil.
Anger. It’s easy to define: the noise of the soul. Anger. The unseen irritant of the heart. Anger. The relentless invader of silence … The louder it gets the more desperate we become …
Some of you are thinking … you don’t have any idea how hard my life has been. And you’re right, I don’t. But I have a clear idea how miserable your future will be unless you deal with your anger.
X-ray the world of the vengeful and behold the tumour of bitterness: black, menacing, malignant. Carcinoma of the spirit. Its fatal fibres creep around the edge of the heart and ravage it. Yesterday you can’t alter, but your reaction to yesterday you can. The past you cannot change, but your response to your past you can. From When God Whispers Your Name ML.
Prayer for Guidance
Lord, teach me to number my days aright, that I may gain wisdom of heart. Help me do today the things that matter, not to waste the time I have.
The moments I have are precious, Lord, see that I count them dear. Teach me to number my days aright. Fill me this day with your kindness, that I may be glad and rejoice all the days of my life. Through Christ I pray, Amen
Now I have time
How life has slowed down! I used to be engaged in frenetic activity.
Now I am limited by constraints from Covid-19. I always wanted to rest, to simply have time to be at peace. Now I have that time. But instead, I am anxious, upset and worried about getting back to the way it was. Maybe my idea of peace is not the Lord’s. Now I am beginning to understand that verse from John 14:27, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” Lord help me to take advantage of this timeto accept the peace that only you can give. ~ By a Columban Missionary
Lent prayer
God of all, may we remember that each one of us is precious in your sight. Forgive us for the times we have caused harm. Move us to respond with love and mercy to those who do us wrong and strengthen us to stand alongside all who face persecution and discrimination. Amen.
