17th. November. 2021. Daily Devotion.
9 (God) has saved us and called us to a holy life – not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time, 10 but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Saviour, Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel. 11 And of this gospel I was appointed a herald and an apostle and a teacher. 2 Timothy 1:9-12
Paul’s conversion and call point to the power of grace. If we had met Paul before his conversion, we doubtless would have been persuaded that he would never be converted. Maybe we would even have thought he had blasphemed against the Holy Spirit and was unforgivable. Paul’s conversion, then, reminds us of God’s power to turn around the most unlikely people. We should never give up praying for those who seem impossible to reach, for salvation is of the Lord. Salvation is ultimately a miracle; it is a work of God. It cannot be calculated or manipulated.
God in His sovereignty desired to reveal His Son to Paul on the Damascus road, and in his grace and mercy he still saves today.
In other words, we cannot take credit for our salvation! Ultimately and finally we did not choose God. He chose us. We are no better than the others. We were not wise enough to see what they didn’t. The Lord opened our hearts to believe. When we consider that the Lord saved us by grace, our hearts will be filled with praise and thanksgiving. ~ Tom Schreiner
Lord, I am filled with gratitude that I have been called to you. All praise to you for your mercy towards me. Amen.
From the throne of your glory, O Lord, send forth your wisdom to live in our hearts, to be at work in our lives and to speak in our conscience; that our thoughts, words and actions may be according to your will and reveal your glory; through Christ our Lord. Amen. Aelred of Rievaulx (c.1109-1167)
God of the wild places and margins,
give us the grace to honour those who are different.
God of the dispossessed and empty,
give us humility to value in others the things we lack.
God of the spiritually poor and cynical,
give us the self-awareness to avoid arrogance.
God of the aggressive and defensive,
give us the courage and patience to love unconditionally
God of ourselves,
give us the tenderness to see ourselves as you see us.Amen.
Strength of my Heart
Strength of my heart, I need not fail,
Not mine to fear but to obey,
With such a Leader, who could quail?
Thou art as Thou wert yesterday.
Strength of my heart, I rest in Thee,
Fulfil Thy purposes through me. Amen. by Amy Carmichael (1907)
All I Know of Tomorrow
Loving Lord, in this time of anxiety, give me serenity.
In this time of fear, give me confidence in You.
In this time of illness, help me preserve my health
and the health of all those around me.
In this time of social isolation, let my phone calls be
full of wisdom and compassion.
In this time of worry, give me the courage
to reaffirm my belief that
“All I know of tomorrow is that
Providence will rise before the Sun.” Amen.