18th. August. 2022. Daily Devotions.

Who can discern their own errors? Forgive my hidden faults. Psalm 19:12

When I was in primary school, there were many times that I thought a teacher, or a parent had eyes in the back of their head. I could not get away with anything I was not supposed to be doing. Sometimes my hidden thoughts were identified by those who were not even looking at me. And to prevent me from even trying something out of line, they said, “Just remember, God sees everything you do.”

Having someone watching our every move can help to keep our actions in check, but what about our thoughts and the things we are tempted to say? When we allow the bright light of God’s law to shine into our inner self, it illuminates our hidden faults and lights up a warning. Without God’s law we are blind to what separates us from God.

The psalmist knows that he cannot see his faults by looking into a mirror. He looks instead into God’s law and asks God to forgive not only his visible sins but also his hidden faults. And the God of the Bible does forgive. Knowing the fact of God’s forgiveness assures the psalmist that he will be blameless in God’s sight. Not perfect yet, but blameless now. E.H.

Father God, even though your law is good, and I want to obey it, I know I do not. Thank you for Jesus, who kept it perfectly so that by faith I can become one with him in your eyes. I love you, Jesus, and I thank you for loving me. Amen.

Grant us grace, O God, to be interpreters of your beauty, narrators of your glory, confessors of your purpose, preachers of your mind and teachers of your works; through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Odes of Solomon (1st century)

Jesus, guest, and host may our tables be safe spaces where everyone feels at home. Jesus, friend, and brother, help us to practise the hospitality we teach. Jesus, who washed the feet of the disciples, teach us afresh the sacrament of service. Jesus, generous giver, show us the abundance of love where we see only scarcity. Jesus, in whose name is found salvation, help us rejoice in the kingdom banquet prepared for all. Jesus, you prayed that we might be one,
just as you and the Father are one, we pray for the unity of your Church, of all communities, of all creation and of all things in you. Amen.

Prayer for the Morning

Compassionate Lord, Your mercies have brought me to the dawn of another day. Vain will be its gift unless I grow in grace, increase in knowledge; ripen for spiritual harvest. Let me this day know You as You are, love You supremely, serve You completely, admire You fully.

Through grace let my will respond to You, knowing that power to obey is not in me, but that Your free love alone enables me to serve You. Here then is my empty heart, overflow it with Your choice gifts; here is my blind understanding, chase away its mists of ignorance. Amen. from a Puritan prayer, 18th century New England.

Meditation

“I say a prayer of thanks every morning. When I put my feet on the floor, I set my attitude. I make the conscious decision it’s going to be a good day.” ~ L. Allen