Devotional for Thursday February 24, 2022
Morning John 1:1-11
Noon Psalm 2
Evening Isaiah 56:1-10
I saw my hope in the likeness of a man passing through many places, but when I saw it lifted up like a serpent in the midst of the desert, my eyes were springs of water that washed away the dust of doubt: my hope was not vain, nor false, as they said. Then I remembered that my hope had said before that by becoming mute I would be like a wild animal led to the slaughterhouse and there despised and unattractive, like a common thing, ground up because of me. I awoke, then, from the sleep of vanity and hardness of spirit. I thought that my work was enough to get me to the top, but if that was enough, why would my hope have offered to suffer then? I understood and feared for my hope, it was buried and with it, myself. I walked and searched, I who had rejected it, and my hope who was looking for me. Dense despair covered my soul, until I heard the final symphony. My soul now shone brighter than the sun, and in its hands still burned the traces of my despair. I hugged it tight, and then, between whispers, my soul said, "Hope does not put us in shame, because God's love has been poured out into our hearts." -
Written by Djaifa Infante
Translated by C.D.R. Sunza
Morning John1:1-11
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
2 The same was in the beginning with God.
3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.
4 In him was life; and the life was the light of men.
5 And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.
6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John.
7 The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe.
8 He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light.
9 That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.
10 He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not.
11 He came unto his own, and his own received him not.
Noon Psalm 2
1 Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing?
2 The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD, and against his anointed, saying,
3 Let us break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us.
4 He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh: the LORD shall have them in derision.
5 Then shall he speak unto them in his wrath, and vex them in his sore displeasure.
6 Yet have I set my king upon my holy hill of Zion.
7 I will declare the decree: the LORD hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee.
8 Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession.
9 Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel.
10 Be wise now therefore, O ye kings: be instructed, ye judges of the earth.
11 Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling.
12 Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and ye perish from the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all they that put their trust in him.
Evening Isaiah 56:1-10
1 Thus saith the LORD, Keep ye judgment, and do justice: for my salvation is near to come, and my righteousness to be revealed.
2 Blessed is the man that doeth this, and the son of man that layeth hold on it; that keepeth the sabbath from polluting it, and keepeth his hand from doing any evil.
3 Neither let the son of the stranger, that hath joined himself to the LORD, speak, saying, The LORD hath utterly separated me from his people: neither let the eunuch say, Behold, I am a dry tree.
4 For thus saith the LORD unto the eunuchs that keep my sabbaths, and choose the things that please me, and take hold of my covenant;
5 Even unto them will I give in mine house and within my walls a place and a name better than of sons and of daughters: I will give them an everlasting name, that shall not be cut off.
6 Also the sons of the stranger, that join themselves to the LORD, to serve him, and to love the name of the LORD, to be his servants, every one that keepeth the sabbath from polluting it, and taketh hold of my covenant;
7 Even them will I bring to my holy mountain, and make them joyful in my house of prayer: their burnt offerings and their sacrifices shall be accepted upon mine altar; for mine house shall be called an house of prayer for all people.
8 The Lord GOD, which gathereth the outcasts of Israel saith, Yet will I gather others to him, beside those that are gathered unto him.
9 All ye beasts of the field, come to devour, yea, all ye beasts in the forest.
10 His watchmen are blind: they are all ignorant, they are all dumb dogs, they cannot bark; sleeping, lying down, loving to slumber
Prayer Guide: [Cuba-Jovellanos] and [México-Saltillo]
February's challenge: Show love, not only with words but with deeds, to your relatives, to your spiritual brothers and the neighbors. Give them flowers, make a donation when needed, write something special to them, help the needy, feed the hungry, etc. Pray for this daily.
Annual Bible reading: Deuteronomy 26, 27, 28
