2nd.October. 2021. Daily Devotion.
‘Listen to me, you descendants of Jacob, all the remnant of the people of Israel, you whom I have upheld since your birth, and have carried since you were born. 4 Even to your old age and grey hairs I am he, I am he who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you. 5 ‘With whom will you compare me or count me equal? To whom will you liken me that we may be compared? Isaiah 46:3-5
The Bible tells us there is only one true God. In Him, we should place all our hope and trust. Because nothing or no one can compare to Him, even our minds can’t fathom all His glory. Money, jobs and people can fail us. Our children can disappoint us. Our material possessions can be wiped out in one natural disaster. Our toned bodies can fail in health, youthfulness, or strength. Our diamonds and gold cannot answer us when we call out for help. Our material possessions are dead weights that we have to carry, on the other hand, the true God, carries us on His shoulders.
God the Father, The Alpha and Omega is the one and only true God. No person or thing is equal to Him. His greatness is far beyond our understanding. Yet He humbled Himself to become a man, by the name of Jesus. He was on a human level, feeling pain, rejection, sorrow, happiness, temptation and even death. He did this out of love for us. What material possession or wooden statue could ever boast of this?
Our bodies, children, and possessions are blessings from God, but they were never meant to replace God. We must always remember that “things,” are not God, but God the Father, is the creator of “things.” We should always be grateful for our many blessings, but hope placed in anything other than God is a false hope. Hope only and always, in Him because, this is a hope that will never fail. ~ Jenny Calvert
God of Hope, Thank you for your blessed hope that never fails. Help us to never place our hope in anything other than you. Amen
Prayer for today
Dear Father in heaven, we thank you for your mercy and for your great goodness and power, revealed to us through the ages and in the present time. We live by your revelation, Lord God Almighty, for you perform wonders on earth and you reign in heaven so that heaven can bless and help us on our earthly pilgrimage. Grant that your loving-kindness and your justice may be revealed through all the world. Come, O Lord our God, bring the light for us who believe in you, and be the light for the whole world. Glory to your name, for you are indeed our Father in heaven and on earth, and you give certainty for our life in time and in eternity. Amen.
Blessing of Mark
O Sovereign and almighty Lord, bless all your people, and all your flock. Give your peace, your help, and your love unto us your servants, the sheep of your fold, that we may be united in the bond of peace and love, one body and one spirit, in one hope of our calling, in your divine and boundless love. Amen. From the Liturgy of Mark, 2d Century A.D.
Prayer for Others
Compassionate God, we are sorry when we fail to see ourselves and others in the light of your love. Transform our inner hostility into hospitality so that we may be ready to welcome you in friend and stranger. Help us to remember that you call all people to eat at your table, and that being chosen by you does not imply exclusion of others, but that your love extends to every human being, and your arms are always open. Amen.