25th. July. 2022.Daily Devotions.

Hatred stirs up conflict, but love covers over all wrongs. Proverbs 10:12

Today’s proverb may sound familiar if you’ve read the New Testament, where Peter says something similar in his first letter: “Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins” (1 Peter 4:8). We must keep in mind that love is not primarily an emotion, though it certainly involves our emotions. Rather, love is an action, a God-ordained way of acting toward others. Here, love is pitted against hatred. The latter “stirs up conflict” while the former “covers over all wrongs.” Love, therefore, involves forgiveness; it is the opposite of picking a fight or continuing one. Love demands we extend grace when we could rightly continue to throw metaphorical punches.

However, we must also remember that love disciplines, so when this proverb says that “love covers over all wrongs” (v. 12), it is not saying that love covers up all wrongs. Love extends grace and forgiveness, yes. Love refuses to throw a punch, yes. But love does not hide sin, for hiding someone’s (and our own) sin allows the sin to continue to lead them (and us) down the path of folly and away from the Father’s embrace.

Forgiveness is a powerful act of love. And forgiveness is modelled for us and motivated by God Himself. Just as God forgave us, we are to forgive one another (Eph. 4:32). Consider who you can forgive today. R. L. Meek

Who do we need to forgive? Who do we need to confront and work things out with, and what must we simply let go of without resolution? Lord, as we extend forgiveness, we ask You to restore our broken relationships. Amen.

Let us worship the Christ who draws near to each of us. Let us praise the Christ who loves the worst among us. Let us bless the Christ who shares with the least among us. Let us glorify the Christ who intercedes for all among us. Amen. Ann Griffiths (1776-1805)

Lord, your love knows no bounds. Help us to be ready for, make space for, and warmly welcome those among whom your Spirit is moving. Help your Church in these difficult days to be a safe place for all who are discovering your saving grace. May your kingdom come, and your will be done, here on earth as it is in heaven. Amen.

Prayer of St. Denis                                                                                                                   
 You are wisdom, uncreated and eternal,
the supreme first cause, above all being,
sovereign Godhead, sovereign goodness,
watching unseen the God-inspired wisdom of Christian people.

Raise us, we pray, that we may totally respond
to the supreme, unknown, ultimate, and splendid height
of your words, mysterious and inspired.

There all Your secret matters lie covered and hidden
under darkness both profound and brilliant, silent, and wise.

You make what is ultimate and beyond brightness
secretly to shine in all that is most dark.

In your way, ever unseen and intangible,
You fill to the full with the most beautiful splendour
those souls who close their eyes that they may see.

And I, please, with love that goes on beyond mind
to all that is beyond mind,
seek to gain such for myself through this prayer. Amen.

Dedication                                                                                                                                 
Holy God, I pray to be filled with your Holy Spirit for the rest of today and in the week to come. Let me go forward, walking with your Spirit in my heart, that I may be filled with joy, energy, and praise for your entire creation; thankful for the many blessings you have given me, displaying your light in my every word and deed. This I pray in Christ’s name, Amen.