July 29, 2021
Morning: 1 Timothy 1:12-17
Noon: Psalm 85
Evening: Ephesians 2:1-10
This hymn was composed by John Newton, an old slave merchant who met the grace of God in the middle of a storm that almost cost him his life in 1748. From that moment on, two things were engraved in this man’s heart: (1) his life prior to knowing Christ was inauthentic and shameful, but (2) the grace of God had saved him.
Although Newton tells the story of his life in one of his works, we can see a reflection of his biography through his famous hymn. Within it we can see the manifestation of that feeling which every true believer experiences in regards to the power of the grace of God. It was precisely that comprehension of the work that God had done in Newton that moved him to lead a life towards consecration and led him to be one of the greatest servants of his time.
He wrote his own epitaph, which says “John Newton, clerk, once an infidel and libertine, a servant of slaves in Africa, was by the rich mercy of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, preserved, restored, pardoned, and appointed to preach the faith he had long labored to destroy.”
To the same extent that a believer comprehends that all he possesses is a product of divine grace will he grow in gratitude and praise towards God.
-Antonio Corrales
Translated by the Communications Department.
Noon Psalm 85
LORD, thou hast been favourable unto thy land:
Thou hast brought back the captivity of Jacob.
2Thou hast forgiven the iniquity of thy people,
Thou hast covered all their sin. Selah.
3Thou hast taken away all thy wrath:
Thou hast turned thyself from the fierceness of thine anger.
4Turn us, O God of our salvation,
And cause thine anger toward us to cease.
5Wilt thou be angry with us for ever?
Wilt thou draw out thine anger to all generations?
6Wilt thou not revive us again:
That thy people may rejoice in thee?
7Shew us thy mercy, O LORD,
And grant us thy salvation.
8I will hear what God the LORD will speak:
For he will speak peace unto his people, and to his saints: But let them not turn again to folly.
9Surely his salvation is nigh them that fear him;
That glory may dwell in our land.
10Mercy and truth are met together;
Righteousness and peace have kissed each other.
11Truth shall spring out of the earth;
And righteousness shall look down from heaven.
12Yea, the LORD shall give that which is good;
And our land shall yield her increase.
13Righteousness shall go before him;
And shall set us in the way of his steps.
PRAYER GUIDE
[E.U. Diócesis Norte-Columbia, CS] y [Cuba-Caujerí]
