Friday, December 20, 2019

Strengthened by Grace Devotional: 12/20/19


Prayer for Friday:Almighty God, who in Your infinite wisdom has ordained that I should live my life within these narrow bounds of time and circumstance, let me now go forth into the world with a brave and trustful heart. It has pleased You to withhold from me a perfect knowledge; therefore do not deny me the grace of faith by which I may lay hold of things unseen. You have given me little power to shape things to my own desire; therefore use Your own omnipotence to bring Your desires to pass within me. You have willed it that through work and pain I should walk the upward way; be then my fellow traveler as I go. In Christ's Name, Amen.

Scripture Reading for Friday: Hebrews 10-11

Scripture Reflection for Friday: Today's journey in God's word visits Hebrews 10-11. In Hebrews 10, we are reminded that in the Old Testament, the people imagined that they could do what they wanted and just keep the sacrifices going to appease God. Through the prophets, God made clear that sacrifices by themselves, without hearts that love and obey God, are repulsive to Him (vv. 5–6). Many today look at the sacrifice of Christ in a similar way, as an insurance policy for heaven, all the while living for themselves. Why won’t that work? Consider vv. 26–27.

In Hebrews 11, we see that these heroes of faith are more than moral examples. They lived in light of a faith that would, for the most part, unfold beyond their lifetimes. Think of what Enoch, Abraham, Moses, and Rahab might say to you in your particular struggle right now.

Daily Teaching (Catechism) for Friday:

(5.3) In his ordinary providence, God makes use of means, though he is free to work apart from them, beyond them, and contrary to them at his pleasure (Acts 27:31, 44; Isaiah 55:10, 11; Hosea 1:7; Romans 4:19–21; Daniel 3:27).

May God help you to grow in Christ today,