Devotion
And Abram Went
Frances Taylor
I'm not sure that I would have had the courage to do what Abram did. Where did he find the faith to listen to this voice of God and believe? Abram was not a nomad, he lived in a land that he knew. He had a family with responsibilities. But he went, and his nephew went with him and his wife and their animals and herdsmen. They didn't have a clue where they were headed, but believed. They trusted a God they hadn't yet come to know. We have had over 4000 years of Scripture to read and reflect upon, and we still have problems trusting that God knows the path we should be following. We stumble around as in the dark, when we have the light of the Gospel to guide us. Because of Abram's willingness to follow God, he is the Father in Faith for three of the major religions in today's world. God doesn't ask us to venture into the unknown as he did Abram, he has given us a way to follow by sending Jesus to go before us. By following him and living as he lived, we, too, will be blessed. Through Abram, later Abraham, we have come to know the one God who cares for us and has blessed us because of his faith by sending us our Messiah.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, you called Abram, your servant, who left his home and followed where you led. Give us that same faith to follow you and live as you would have us live. Amen.
Night Prayer
Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.
Inspiration
What is the key to knowing peace? Trusting God. When we fix our minds on God, we fix our minds on what is reliable and faithful. We no longer rely on our unstable emotions or our limited understanding to manage whatever we face, but on the One who provides all wisdom and understanding. And His faithfulness and power bring us peace.
Prayer
Lord, You are the God of all peace. So I come to You desiring Your lasting peace. I place my cares and my desires in Your hands and trust in Your wisdom, knowledge, and love to guide me in all things. Please surround me with Your peace as You transform my mind and teach me to trust You more. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Morning Prayer
And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.
Inspiration
Creation is not the only one groaning for the return of Jesus Christ. The children of God are groaning too, in eager expectation of what is to come. The Holy Spirit helps us remain patient and at rest as we contend with the things of this world. When that day comes, all of God's children will celebrate, as the promise of what is to come will be fulfilled.
Prayer
Dear God, I rejoice when I think of what is to come. I do not fear the return of your son, Jesus Christ, but I eagerly look forward to the day because I know of what a glorious time this will be. All that we have faced on this earth will come to an end and we will all be one, in eternity. While we wait, thank you Father for giving us the Holy Spirit who helps us in our impatience. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.
Night Prayer
When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.
Inspiration
We all begin life as newborns. As we grow, we gain knowledge and wisdom that prepare us to live as adults. So too, we begin our spiritual lives as infants. God, by His love, grows us in our knowledge of Him. As we mature, we cast off the selfish ambitions, pride, and lies that we once knew as God perfects us by His grace.
Prayer
Father, thank You for making me Your child. Please walk with me so that I may know Your love and learn Your truth. Grow me in Your grace and wisdom, and teach me to put away my childish pride and pursuits. As You empty me of these things, fill me anew with Your Spirit so that as I grow in faith, I may resemble You more each day. In Jesus’ name, amen.
