7th. May. 2021. Daily Devotion.
Genesis 3:2
‘We may eat fruit from the trees in the garden, 3 but God did say, “You must not eat fruit from the tree that is in the middle of the garden, and you must not touch it, or you will die.”’
One of the challenges we face as we read the Bible is to realize that even though people were created good, they were able to do evil, and even though people can be bad, that doesn’t mean they don’t have any good in them. For we are all created in God’s image, which is good, but every one of us can disobey and sin against God, breaking our relationship with him and with everything around us.
As we will see, sometimes situations are murky and have layers of meaning. However, all the nuances and complexities of sin are finally confronted in Jesus’ death for our sake on the cross. Instead of continually experiencing the estrangement brought about by eating of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, we are reconciled with God by Jesus’ gift of his own life on the tree of the cross. Through his death, Jesus brought us reconciliation, restoration, and renewal.
Lord, we are often tempted to do only as we please. Rescue us from our wilful and harmful decisions and help us to pursue what is good and true. Amen.
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.
To Find God in His Creation
Oh, give us pleasure in the flowers today;
And give us not to think so far away
As the uncertain harvest; keep us here
All simply in the springing of the year.
Oh, give us pleasure in the orchard white,
Like nothing else by day, like ghosts by night;
And make us happy in the happy bees,
The swarm dilating round the perfect trees.
And make us happy in the darting bird
That suddenly above the bees is heard,
The meteor that thrusts in with needle bill,
And off a blossom in mid-air stands still.
For this is love and nothing else is love,
To which it is reserved for God above
To sanctify to what far ends he will,
But which it only needs that we fulfil. Amen.
~ Robert Frost
Time of Trial
Lord show me how to be strong and patient
in this time of difficulty.
We have been challenged to live separated
from our loved ones.
We are asked to sacrifice our freedom
to move around as we might like.
We remember that in your time of trial
you were separated from your loved ones.
But you showed what it means to love
during a time of trial.
Help us to accept this time of separation
that we might come closer to our loved ones.
May we love as you loved on your lonely way to Calvary. Amen.
Prayer after an Election
Lord God, Almighty Father: Watch over our nation in these times. Voting in an election is a privilege we enjoy. May we exercise this freedom with the heart of a faithful disciple of Jesus Christ. Grant that our government will serve Your purposes under heaven. Unite our country, protect our liberties and rights, and defend us from every evil. Strengthen those who are elected to serve faithfully for the good of all and encourage those who are disappointed with the outcome reminding us that in this life you remain Lord over all. Amen.