Devotional for August 3, 2021
Morning: 2 Timothy 4:7,8
Noon: Psalm 97
Evening: 1 Peter 3:1-9
Almost all large world events have become so as a result of certain battles that have changed the course of history. The names Hannibal, Augustus Caesar, Charlemagne, and Napoleon all possess a radiant glow in the pages of history, a glow produced by their ability to fight.
It’s no different for the believer. We are on a battlefield, and we won’t reach victory unless we remain until the very end. John Bunyan expresses this in “The Pilgrim’s Progress.” He tells us in his work that “Mr Valiant-for-Truth” was notified of his early departure for the heavenly kingdom. Having understood this, he called his friends and told them,
“’I am going to my Father’s; and though with great difficulty I am got hither, yet now I do not repent me of all the trouble I have been at to arrive where I am. My sword I give to him that shall succeed me in my pilgrimage, and my courage and skill to him that can get it. My marks and scars I carry with me, to be a witness for me that I have fought His battles who now will be my rewarder.’”
— Antonio Corrales
“O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?”
Morning: 2 Timothy 4:7,8
7. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:
8. Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.
Noon: Psalm 97
1. The Lord reigneth; let the earth rejoice; let the multitude of isles be glad thereof.
2. Clouds and darkness are round about him: righteousness and judgment are the habitation of his throne.
3. A fire goeth before him, and burneth up his enemies round about.
4. His lightnings enlightened the world: the earth saw, and trembled.
5. The hills melted like wax at the presence of the Lord, at the presence of the Lord of the whole earth.
6. The heavens declare his righteousness, and all the people see his glory.
7. Confounded be all they that serve graven images, that boast themselves of idols: worship him, all ye gods.
8. Zion heard, and was glad; and the daughters of Judah rejoiced because of thy judgments, O Lord.
9. For thou, Lord, art high above all the earth: thou art exalted far above all gods.
10. Ye that love the Lord, hate evil: he preserveth the souls of his saints; he delivereth them out of the hand of the wicked.
11. Light is sown for the righteous, and gladness for the upright in heart.
12. Rejoice in the Lord, ye righteous; and give thanks at the remembrance of his holiness.
Evening: 1 Peter 3:1-9
1. Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives;
2. While they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear.
3. Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel;
4. But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.
5. For after this manner in the old time the holy women also, who trusted in God, adorned themselves, being in subjection unto their own husbands:
6. Even as Sara obeyed Abraham, calling him lord: whose daughters ye are, as long as ye do well, and are not afraid with any amazement.
7. Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered.
8. Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous:
9. Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing.
PRAYER GUIDE: [U.S. West Diocese-El Paso] and [Costa Rica-Angelina]
ANNUAL BIBLE READING: Isaiah 26,
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